In this post, we’ll go over reasons for rotting wood and why painting over rotting areas is not the best solution.
Does your house have some spots that look a bit rotted or moldy? If it does, maybe you’ve considered painting over those spots as a quick and easy way to remedy the problem. At a glance, this might look like it solves the problem, but that’s only at surface level, and it doesn’t get to the heart of the issue. In this post, we’ll go over reasons for rotting wood and why painting over rotting areas is not the best solution.
Termites
Have you seen wood getting damaged and cracked along your house or even fences? If so, you might have an infestation of termites. These critters eat wood, causing the wood to have its structural integrity compromised.
Painting over spots affected by termites is not enough to deal with the issue, and it could even become a legal concern. The best way to address termites is to find the source and get rid of it so that they can’t thrive around your property anymore.
Moisture
Moisture is a common source of rotting in wood, and it can cause wood to split too. Paint is not going to be a sufficient solution to any rotting caused by water; in fact, it can worsen the issue because paint has moisture inside of it, meaning it only makes the problem worse.
With that said, painting your surfaces can be effective, but only as a preventive measure. Paint can protect wood from moisture if rotting hasn’t already occurred. If you’re trying to fix wood that has already rotted, though, you’re not going to have any success with paint.
For those with rotting wood, there could be a leak around the house. If this is the case, address the leak before you try painting. Otherwise, the same problem could happen again.
Mold
As we mentioned earlier, moisture is a problem for wood, and when wood is exposed to moisture for a long enough time, mold can start to develop. Mold is especially dangerous because it not only impacts the wood itself but it can also have harmful impacts on people’s health.
Painting over mold is never advised because it will only serve to aggravate the mold spores, and then mold will start developing in other areas around the house. This will make your house even more dangerous because of the increased area the mold covers.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
Since 2003, Albaugh & Sons, LLC has been dedicated to meeting the fencing, decking, and home remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the greater Frederick area. All of our team members are experienced, well-trained, and committed to exceeding the expectations of every customer.
Visit our website here, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.