An interesting email came the other day. It was from a former client, for whom I had done an inspection four years ago. His house at that time was only two years old. All the window trim on the house was beginning to rot.
My comment at that time was that this was a lot of rot developing in only two years, and that it would get worse. I also suggested that since it was on nearly window that the problem was likely due to improper installation. At that time I was unable to see what could have caused it, but thought it to be the usual suspects. On my way home the next day this house was along the way, so I stopped by to have a peek.
I could have posted many more photos. So, what are the common characteristics?
1. Caulking is not meant to be wider than about 1/4". This is much wider than that!
2. Interior nails (or brads) were used. As they rust, they rot the wood with them!
3. The wood was not primed. Even if it was primed on the outside facing the weather, and I could see on some peeling windows that it was not, wood has 6 sides! All 6 sides need to be primed PRIOR to installation or it will not last.
4. The trim was just jammed into place, with large gaps. The miters and joints are not tight and merely filled with caulking.
ANYTHING NEW HERE? No, not at all. I see this every day. It is 7-11 construction at its worst (or best, depending on your angle...). It is a slap-up job by inexperienced people, working with little oversight.
Here's the big issue! ALL of the houses nearby are experiencing the exact same problem. I had noticed that 4 years ago, but the other houses weren't my focus then. Now we have a demonstrable pattern throughout the neighborhood.
The pattern, in my opinion? Improper product, improper installation. Of course, if contacted, the builder would claim lax homeowner maintenance.
But everyone has let this go and now the rot is migrating into the framing structure around the windows. This was something my client was told four years ago that he needed to handle immediately. It has been let go. By everyone. Now it has gotten dramatically worse.
I don't know where it will go from here. But I would recommend replacing the wood!
My recommendation: Sometimes home inspectors will point out conditions and suggest repairs that prevent future, more difficult, repairs. It is best to pay attention...
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia
www.jaymarinspect.com
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ah yes...the famous deferred maintainance...last on the Honey Do list stuff...new windows...hardly anyone here with our change of seasons does wood replacements anymore...and there are some great looking vinyls available...thanks for the tip...here's looking at you ...thru a well maintained window !