In yesterday's post, I wrote about the problem of water ending up next to the home, on exterior wood or at the foundation, as a result of uncontrolled runoff water. This photo is a section of porch, from yesterday's house, that was negatively impacted by both a lack of gutters and, also, the fact that there is wood to soil contact.

 

Wood to soil contact, and uncontrolled runoff water, when put together, lead to big problems. In fact, those two factors are probably the single biggest contributors to rot or wood decay fungi.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #207

        

        

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9 Comments on Bellingham Home Inspector (King of the House) -- Wood Decay

SEP
04
2009

Steven if you're in a dry climate with pressure treated wood is it as bad?
12:28am • #1
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Not a pretty picture! Hope the rest of the inspection went better. But really, I'm sure the buyers and agent had already noted this obvious repair item!
12:32am • #2
966,376 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve:  You sound so incredibly thorough.  I sure wish YOU could do all of my inspections.  Darn !  And... you explain things so well.  I bet you are just great with buyers !  Thanks for sharing.
12:59am • #3
1,242,529 Points 158 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve, We do not live in as rainy a climate as you do. However, we do have the same problems. I see this more on older properties...

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3:30am • #4
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When previewing or showing homes, one of the few "inspection" matters I look for is "wood to soil contact".

Even a real estate agent knows that's a danger zone.
4:45am • #5
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Steve, the picture you show is all tooooo common----getting a little less so with the use of pressure treated lumber.
9:39am • #6
187,196 Points 5 Featured Posts

Man alive, hope nobody decides to step on the edge of that porch.
1:07pm • #7
SEP
05
2009
975,180 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Do things get wet out there?

What some people think when they construct things like that is baffling.  You reap what you sow.
7:56pm • #8
SEP
29
2009
1,150,590 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Heather,

It is probably not as bad but, over time, even most pressure treated wood decays. Figure a life of up to 40 years for much of it. The wood used for wood foundation houses is better, but that is rare to find.
10:30am • #9

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

Email Me

Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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