Special offer

I've repaired it already, why is this water damage recurring?

By
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

I've repaired it already, why is this water damage recurring?

 

If the same water damage recurs, then the water damage problem was never corrected properly. Sure, the damage may have been removed and new material put in its place, but man thinking in truckthe problem still exists. So don’t have the same repair done again.

It is important that the contractor or handyman that you hire understands why this sort of thing happens. Where is the water getting in? Is the flashing installed correctly? Are the windows leaking? These and many more questions need to be asked by the repair person if he/she is going to find the problem. Having an understanding of proper building techniques and why they are needed, is invaluable.

 

I never assume!

 

When dealing with water damage, and the subsequent dry rot that often occurs, it is a good idea to test the repair before putting things back together and calling it done. If the water discoloration on sidingleak happens when it rains, simulate the rain. Water the roofing or siding as if it is raining – hard! If the water is coming from a drain leak, test it under extreme conditions. Try to get it to leak!

A contractor would be doing the client an injustice by just pulling off the damaged building material and slapping on a new piece, it will happen again.

 

Let’s look at some siding repair at an apartment community in Cameron Park that was done without solving the problem.

Here we can see that the siding had been cut horizontally and new z-bar flashing and T1-11 siding filled in the repair area. If done correctly, this is an acceptable repair. Visually this is not the best answer, but it drastically reduces the cost of repair.

siding repair damaged

We can see in the photo that the siding below the flashing is new but the wood is already water damaged. Why? The problem was never solved. Water is getting behind the siding and causing the same problem all over again. I am certain that if the siding and roof had been tested before the repairs were done, water would have been discovered inside the wall.

I was not called out to look at this problem, it just caught my eye. If I were to climb up a ladder and check, the source of the problem would become evident. This is important to know when choosing a contractor or repair person to correct dry rot and water damage.

If you have a recurring water damage or dry rot problem, be sure that you hire someone with knowledge of building techniques, experience in solving these types of problems and willing to test the repair before rebuilding.

 

Comments (10)

Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Water damage is one of the worst for all the reasons you outlined.

Jun 05, 2012 10:47 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Tom: You need to clone yourself and send one up to my area. We have a LOT of dry rot in the Del Norte area. Not necessarily because of all the rain, but because no one seems to make a good fix as you point out.

Jun 05, 2012 12:07 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Tom I like so many others wished you lived in my neck of the woods.  Hiring people that don't know or how to find the source costs so much more.  I went through that with someone today....they just don't get it.

Jun 05, 2012 12:19 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

But dry rot can be repaired Kathy.

Jun 05, 2012 02:32 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

 

Dry rot and water damages will continue Hella if not repaired correctly.

I'll work on cloning myself and get to Del Norte ASAP.

:)

Jun 05, 2012 02:32 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

It must be frustrating explaining to someone how they should be doing their job Anna. And it gets exponencially worse if employees are involved.

Maybe you all could move to my neck of the woods.

Jun 05, 2012 02:33 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Tom - Your clients have to appreciate how thorough you are.  Merely "fixing" the outermost symptoms doesn't solve the underlying problem.

Jun 05, 2012 02:42 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

My client do tell me that they appreciate how I explain to them what is happening, what needs to be done, and the fact that I do want I say I will do. It just seems like the right thing to do Susan.

Jun 05, 2012 03:22 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Tom, amazing how many people put the bandaid on before "washing and dressing the wound" ie. addressing the root cause with an appropriate correctiver measure

Jun 06, 2012 01:43 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

The BandAid is cheaper initially, quicker, and appears to have solved the problem.

Like you said Chris, the root cause needs to be corrected.

Jun 06, 2012 03:33 PM