Pacific Northwest Home Inspections (King of the House) -- Wood Eating Plants

The little window box below could be hiding problems. People are so tempted to hang large and small planters on the side of the house. Heck, I have a rental house with a planter outside one window. If this is done correctly, which it seldom is, fewer problems will result. Think about it, hanging a planter against the house will result in earth, often contained in a wood planter box, being against the home. The planter rots, then the siding rots. Can you say wood destroying organism? There are two other related issues that make this bad: (1) you water the plants so that puts not only soil but moisture against the siding and being so close to the house, that moisture is trapped and there is little chance for the siding to dry; (2) the fact the planter is so close to the house obscures any view of what you are, or are not, doing to your siding.

It is best to not have planters against the house. But, if aesthetics tell you it must be done, then secure them in a manner that makes it less likely problems will result. This recommendation would include fastening them so they are at least 2" out from the siding. Then, when you water them, do not get the water all over the house. Also, periodically look in the gap and make sure the siding is not warping or otherwise being damaged.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspector