I’m Tired of Fighting It,

Can I Buy Your Gardener Dinner?

 

Does your siding have dry rot damage due to high soil levels? If the soil is in contact with your wood siding, you will have problems with dry rot and water damage. This is a fact, it will happen. I have explained and corrected this sort of earth the wood contact to many people over the last 25 years. Most will make an attempt to fix the problem before any damage starts.

Dry rot in lap siding This earth to wood contact is very common due to the grade of the soil and landscaping choices. Knowing that this will be a problem we need to pay attention to the soil around our property. I see this even in areas that have been repaired previously for the same reason.

Today I got to repair some lap siding that was partially buried in the ground, had bark spread over the soil, and is irrigated daily. This siding never dries out, it is constantly wet. The sections that I repaired today were repairs a few years ago – for the same reason. The manager was aware of it, the gardener was aware of it, even some of the residents know about it. So today I got paid to fix it again.

This time I have a different approach; I’m going to buy the gardener dinner. He will rake the soil back up against the siding, spread the bark out, and the sprinklers will soak the area first thing tomorrow morning. I want to thank him in advance for setting in motion the things that will guarantee that it will happen again.

I’m not going to fight it; I’m just going to plan on being back soon. Maybe I’ll save the measurements and precut the new siding and trim and install it when I go to give them the next estimate; it will be the same pieces again.

 

 

 


 


Stucco Buildings Can Experience Wood Rot Too.

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You have a dry rot problem; do you need me to prove it?

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Is Dry Rot Damage Repair Covered Under My Homeowners’ Insurance?

 

Specialists in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repairs

 

 

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Tom Arstingstall
Tromler Construction
General Contractor
Specializing in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repairs

916-765-5366
 Water Damage Repair in Sacramento Dry Rot Repair Contractor in Sacramento

E-mail Contact

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Star Posted by Tom Arstingstall - Dry Rot, Water Damage General Contractor in Sacramento on 09/21/2012 03:27 AM   Comments (27)   Home Improvement in the ActiveRain Channel   dry rot, siding, soil, earthtowood contact  
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27 Comments on I’m Tired of Fighting It, Can I Buy Your Gardener Dinner?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
21
780,958 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

John - Sounds like you don't have the moisture problems that many other have. It does have it's perks.
6:03am • #8
430,920 Points 1 Featured Post

Great post.  Learned a lot and will share with others..
6:16am • #9
938,530 Points 52 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I remember a house in old town Folsom.  It had a situation similar to what you describe.  When the siding was pulled away, the termite tubes were found to be originating at the earth to siding at he bottom, and traveling up to the eaves.  It looked like some sort of alien existence from another dimension!
6:21am • #10
447,681 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tom, we have a lot of that in our area. A certain method of building houses was inexplicably used by the military about 70 years ago, now there's a whole subdivision where the foundations seem to be too low and the wood frame sits right in the soil. It causes a lot of damage over time.
6:24am • #11
780,958 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

 

Ginger - Glad to help!

 

Myrl - Termite tubes are a good indication of trouble. thanks for the comment.
6:30am • #12
780,958 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Soil grading is important from the start. Some areas are in a bad situation from the start Malcolm.
6:31am • #13
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Tom...good information, thx for sharing.  I live in the Carolinas, high humdity, etc...and also have a close friend that's a home inspector.  I haven't spread mulch around my home since he shared the same information many years ago.  I also strongly suggest to my clients not to do it either...just asking for trouble
6:52am • #14
841,205 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Point made and taken in....I am guilty of this and I have seen it elsewhere too..Reminders like this help us all...thank you Tom
7:05am • #15
1,445,933 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very good information for home home owners.  All need to be aware of what the soil is covering around the home.

Enjoy the last day of summer and be prepared to have your camera in hand to capture the colors of autumn. 
7:49am • #16
390,867 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tom: You would think the management would take your advice and do something so this won't happen again.
8:07am • #17
590,749 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

LOL, Tom. By All Means buy the Gardner Dinner. You will have a job waiting for you when you return. Why Fight it? Have a Great Day!
9:28am • #18
229,179 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tom -- maybe you could suggest that the management team just put you on retainer.  They probably have a few other properties in similar status - and you could do one a month on a rotating basis.  lol
11:09am • #19
186,626 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Tom. It is amazing how many people will repeatedly do what they know (or should know) that they should not. Pre-cutting is genius! At least someone learns from the experience ;o)
Enjoy the job security!
Bruce

 
11:33am • #20
580,810 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tom it's surprising that the management company doesn't take more interest in "why" the wood has to be replaced regularly!
11:49am • #21
139,440 Points Outside Blog

This makes me appreciate the rock beds we have on a bunch of our rentals.  Low-maintenance and doesn't require the tenant to do anything (they never do).
2:53pm • #22

We notice this on inspections a lot.  Good luck!  At least it keeps you in business!  :)
4:43pm • #23
1,126,400 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good repeat business, eh? 
6:33pm • #24
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Hey what can you do when you have explained to them over and over....if they want to continue to make the same mistake, what can you do but help them when they call? Good info.
9:42pm • #25
780,958 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Management is aware of the problem and what needs to be done to prevent it from happening again, the rest is up to them.  :)

If not, I'll be ready.
11:09pm • #26
SEP
22
158,202 Points

People need to realize that all types of siding should have proper clearances.  There is usually wood behind that the siding attaches to that will eventually rot as well.  Good read, thanks for sharing.
3:26am • #27

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Tom Arstingstall - An Uncommon Contractor (Tromler Construction): Builder-Contractor in Placerville, CA

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