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It’s a musty smell that you smell first. You’ve never noticed it before, but maybe it’s just something in the air today. A week later, you notice it again. Upon closer inspection, you see that there’s a patch on your deck that looks a little different from the rest. The board is slightly shrunken and silvery in color. You reach out and touch it and feel it give way slightly under your fingertips. These are telltale signs of wood rot, and unless you want to replace your entire deck, it’s time to invest in a Knoxville wood rot repair service.
Discovering wood rot can bring on a sense of dread, but our Knoxville handyman experts are here to help. We want to help you save money as much as you do, which is why we’ll do everything in our power to stop decay in its tracks and restore the structural integrity of the affected area. Using our extensive knowledge and experience, we’ll accurately assess the extent of damage and present you with viable solutions to your problem. Once you choose which direction you’d like to take, we’ll get your repair job done quickly and efficiently so that you can regain your peace of mind.
As the old adage goes, knowledge is power. Below, we’ll outline all you need to know about wood rot, what our Knoxville wood rot repair service includes, and how to prevent the need for repair in the future. We’ve also included some questions that our customers commonly ask us about the service, but if you have any additional questions or would like to discuss your repair needs further, feel free to reach out to us directly by phone today.
What Our Knoxville Wood Rot Repair Service Entails
Most times, Knoxville residents won’t know they have wood rot in their homes. This sneaky fungus prefers damp spaces, which just so happen to be located in areas you may not visit daily. If you’re concerned about wood rot in your home, we invite you to take a look around and survey any areas of your house that are made from wood. Keep an eye out for carpenter ants which often flock to rotted areas. If you prefer not to do this yourself, or if you would like the guarantee of a more thorough inspection from a professional, call us. Our knowledgeable team is seasoned in detecting all types of wood rot and will know exactly where to look.
Our expert handyman team can repair rot in all sorts of locations, but the most frequent areas we see decay in are:
- Decks (rot is one of the most common signs you need deck repair!)
- Window trim
- Soffits
- Fascia boards
- Wood siding
- Porches (crawl spaces, planks, and railings)
- Pillars
- Exterior stairs
- Attic space
Our service typically involves replacing all damaged wood with new lumber. This is the most effective method of eliminating rot, as it ensures that it is eradicated entirely and won’t spread to surrounding boards. Deck boards can easily be replaced as needed.
In other circumstances, you may have reasons for not wanting wood replacement. Some of our customers live in historic homes that still have much of their original wood. You may have a stunning porch with ornamental pillars that have been impacted by a small area of rot. In this case, we may be able to avoid replacing the entire pillar by carving out its affected area, applying an epoxy consolidant with putty knives, sanding the surface down, and finishing off with a fresh coat of paint.
When you choose our Knoxville wood rot repair service, we’ll thoroughly discuss all your options with you so that you can make an informed decision about which direction you’d like to go in. We’ll never proceed until you give us the go-ahead, and we want you to know about every step of the process—with Mr. Handyman, there are no unpleasant surprises!
Dodge The Need For Wood Rot Repair, Knoxville, TN By Following These Tips
While wood rot is very common, it’s also entirely preventable. The key to preventing rot is to eliminate any potential source of excess water by creating a barrier between the wood and its environment.
To do this, it’s important to seal your exterior lumber in some way. There are two ways to do this:
- Wood stain and sealant. Moisture isn’t the only enemy here—harsh UV rays can do a number on exterior wood too. Pigmentation in wood stains helps protect its fibers from the sun, but to prevent rot, a stain should be followed with a clear sealant. These sealants should be applied once every two years or so, as they can begin to deteriorate over time.
- Exterior paint. A paint designed for exterior use will create a seal between the wood and the atmosphere. The moment paint begins to peel, all the wood underneath will be exposed. Thus, it’s essential to inspect your exterior surfaces regularly and reapply paint as needed. Ask us about our house painting services to safeguard your home.
Before reapplying for a stain, wood rot treatment, or undergoing an exterior painting project, you’ll want to make sure that your lumber is dry and there aren’t any signs of rot. Otherwise, you’ll effectively seal in the rot and allow it to continue spreading. At Mr. Handyman of west-knoxville, we offer pressure washing services to properly prepare your deck or exterior wooden surfaces for a fresh coat of paint. This step will remove mold and dirt and help you go longer in between paint jobs.
If you find yourself in need of replacing your deck down the line, opt for composite decking or pressure-treated wood decking instead. Our handyman and carpentry professionals can build decks from scratch with these two materials, both of which look as good as hardwood or softwood but come with less maintenance. Wood rot can still develop within these materials—thus, proper maintenance is crucial—but they reduce the likelihood significantly.
Why Our Knoxville Wood Rot Repair Service Is a Step Above the Rest
For over a decade, our professional handyman team at Mr. Handyman of west-knoxville has proudly served the Knoxville & nearby communities such as Powell, Oak Ridge, and Karns. We’re a woman and veteran-owned local business with a passion for providing the community with top-notch home services and unparalleled customer support. Our team is highly talented, with an average of 20 years of experience in the handyman and carpentry industries. We know exactly what we’re doing and strive to provide you with home repairs and installations at the same acceptable level of care that we would offer for our own friends or family.
To afford you the greatest peace of mind, all of our service technicians have gone through rigorous background checks and drug tests. They’re also licensed, bonded, and insured, so you have nothing to worry about in the case that something goes wrong. We also offer a quality workmanship guarantee. It’s rare, but on the off chance you’re not satisfied with the quality of workmanship you received, we’ll come back and make it right.
Interested in learning more about the difference choosing Mr. Handyman makes for your Knoxville wood rot repair service? Our expert customer service team is waiting for your call. They’re happy to answer all of your questions about our qualified team and the many home improvement services we provide, including crawl space repair, drywall repair, and fascia repair.
FAQs About Wood Rot Repair: Knoxville, TN
What Is Wood Rot, And How Does It Occur?
Many people know that rot is something they don’t want, but only some fully understand how it develops and what it does. While you don’t need to be a wood rot expert to know how to tackle it, understanding this process on a basic level will equip you with the knowledge you need to make things right again.
Though rot is often seen as a homeowner's enemy, it’s a very important biological process. Problems occur when it happens on your property rather than out on the forest floor. In the natural world, when a tree dies and falls, it eventually becomes the nourishment and habitat for many organisms essential for biodiversity. Contrary to popular belief, wood does not decay directly as a result of excess moisture. Rather, excessive moisture encourages fungal growth. It is these fungi that consume the main components of wood and effectively ‘recycle’ the dead tree.
Despite an increase in the use of non-organic materials such as vinyl for construction, wood remains one of the best building materials even though, it has a propensity for decay. The trick in avoiding wood rot lies in avoiding water damage wherever possible, as a continuously humid environment often results in rotted wood, which subsequently jeopardizes the integrity of the structure.
On the exterior of your home, water damage can be caused by clogged gutters and even a faulty water sump pump. To perform a thorough service, we'll suggest gutter cleaning and possibly recommend that you get a gutter guard installation to reduce the risks of high moisture content going forward. In the inside of your home, water damage may cause issues for your wall braces and wall anchors or foundation walls, or basement walls. These will require foundation repair and, most likely, joist repair in regard to staircases and floors.
There are many different types of rot, but for our purposes here, we’ll discuss it in more general terms. Different types of fungi prefer eating different types of wood fibers, but the two most common types of fiber consumed are cellulose and lignin. When these are consumed, logs lose their ability to hold themselves together, resulting in structural damage that causes them to crumble all too easily.
Once rot begins, it is very difficult to stop. Fortunately, wood rot is one of several common problems solved by our professional handyman service. Though we most typically see rotten wood on homes' exteriors, which is regularly exposed to wet conditions, interior or exterior repairs may be made to stop the rot from spreading.
What Is The Best Knoxville Wood Rot Repair Method?
There are many different types of services for Knoxville wood rot repair residents will encounter, but the best and most effective option is generally replacing damaged wood entirely. As discussed above, it may not be necessary to replace the entire piece or structure, but at the very least, all the affected wood must be removed. To do this, the compromised wood can be scraped out using the end of a screwdriver and the perimeter sanded down to ensure that any fungi present are fully removed.
In any lumber rot repair service, it’s important that all the rot is removed. Because of the fast-growing nature of fungi, if any tiny piece is left, it can and will spread. That’s why we will often recommend the replacement of an entire piece of lumber if possible, as we need to ensure all the rot is eradicated so that it does not come back.
How Much Does a Knoxville Wood Rot Repair Cost?
The cost of a Knoxville wood rot repair largely depends on how much is damaged, as well as which repair method is used. For example, if you have a single rotted board on your exterior walls that needs to be replaced, this will cost significantly less than a deck with several rotted boards, posts, and rails.
Repairing small areas with a filler or epoxy may also end up costing more, as this requires a little more finesse than board replacement. Additionally, many of our customers request that we stain or paint your replacement boards as part of our service. While this is a completely optional add-on, it is something you’ll need to do, whether on your own or by hiring us.
We will note here that Knoxville residents with wooden features inside and outside of their homes should keep an eye out for wood rot year-round. Catching the fungus early will eliminate the need for costly repairs, and it will also help prevent the need for large sections of wood to be replaced. If you have a historic home, be sure to schedule regular inspections from a professional.
Because every Knoxville wood rot repair we do is different, we encourage you to get in touch to set up an on-site consultation. This will allow us to take a look at the extent of the damage firsthand and supply you with an accurate job estimate.
How Long Does Your Knoxville Wood Rot Repair Service Take?
Again, this depends on the extent of the damage. If we’re replacing basic deck boards, we should be able to complete the project within a day, but if we’re replacing an ornamental pillar or rebuilding an area that has succumbed to decay, the service length will be dependent on the amount of time it takes for the product to cure before applying paint.
During your service appointment, we’ll take a moment to clearly explain the detailed repair plan, as well as the estimated time required to complete it.
Which Is Better for a Knoxville Wood Rot Repair: Wood Putty or Wood Filler?
While both products are intended to repair wood, they behave differently. Wood filler is the type of product that becomes very hard once cured, it can be sanded down, and it can also be stained. Thus, it tends to act like real wood.
Wood putty is a little more pliable than filler, which means it isn’t susceptible to shrinking or cracking, but it also can’t be sanded or stained. It tends to come in a variety of colors, so they can be matched to stained wood. Putty is better suited to outdoor use, as wood naturally expands and contracts with temperature and humidity fluctuations. This can cause filler to crack, but putty will instead expand and contract with the real wood.
How Much Wood Rot Is Too Much For a Knoxville Wood Rot Repair?
If you’re looking at your deck or spiral wooden staircase and notice a smattering of wood rot, you might wonder if you need to replace the entire thing. There are times in which you may wish to choose a replacement over repair services. This will generally happen when the cost of repair outweighs the cost of reinstallation. For example, if fifty percent of your deck is rotting, it’s probably just time for a new deck.
Additionally, the older the structure, the more likely it is that it will require other repairs in the near future. While repair costs may seem smaller than the cost of replacement, consider how these repair costs will accumulate over time. Paying a higher upfront cost for replacement will eliminate the need for repairs for many years, as long as you take care of your structure via regular maintenance.
During your initial inspection, we’ll be sure to find and point out all areas affected by the rot to keep you informed. We’ll never recommend replacement if we do not think it is necessary, and at the end of the day, you have control over which option you choose.
Stop The Spread Today With Our Knoxville Wood Rot Repair Service!
Some Knoxville homes consist of many wooden features. From the porch to the deck and the stairs to the windows, it can be quite frightening for homeowners to think about all the locations where wood rot can be hiding. And because of how easily this fungus spreads, they might begin to panic.
Though it may feel like it, the presence of wood rot on your home’s exterior structures isn’t the end of the world. Our Knoxville wood rot repair service is provided by handyman professionals with years of experience in repair. We’ll restore the structural integrity of your home in no time. Call in our services to knock out that unwanted decay and ask about adding on additional interior services such as door repair and window repair while you’re at it!
To book your Knoxville wood rot repair service or arrange an in-person consultation, give us a call or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to serving you!
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