The Importance of Replacing Rotted Wood Before Painting Your House

A home’s exterior is subjected to all kinds of weather throughout the year, and wind, snow, rain, and extreme temperatures can cause damage to exterior wooden features over time. Even the best exterior painting job, and after some years, no longer protects the woodwork, which starts to deteriorate and rot. 

Wood usually rots due to moisture, poor air circulation, poor light, and warmth. Rotting wood looks unsightly and promotes pest and termite growth. When it is time to paint the exteriors, it is important for homeowners to inspect for damaged and rotting wood. Any wood in questionable condition should be replaced. Ignoring rotting wooden boards in decks, trim, siding, window sill, fences, and railings can have severe health and safety implications.

Some find painting rotten wood a quick and easy fix. However, it only hides the rot and makes the wood visually appealing. It ignores the underlying causes that can lead to severe issues down the line. Painting does not stop wood deterioration; it simply delays the process of the wood falling apart.

Rotting wood may be indicative of other issues, and painting experts suggest replacing it before painting the house for the following reasons:

Address the deeper issue

Painting only masks the wood rot and does not fix it. Rotting wood can compromise the structural integrity of a home, and can also indicate deeper issues, like mold and pest infestation, that can compromise the home’s structural integrity, which the painting does not address. Professional painters can inspect the rotten wood structure to identify minor issues and replace the wood before the problem worsens.

Ensure a better paint job

Painting over rotten, wet wood is usually a waste of time, money, and hard work. If homeowners do not replace it, the paint won’t adhere well to the wet and damaged wood surface. It is tough to achieve a flawless paint finish on damaged wooden surfaces, and the paint eventually cracks, bubbles, and fades. Moisture in the wood may also indicate a leak that requires fixing to prevent further wood rot down the line.

Protection from termites

Termites cause damage to wood and impact the structural integrity of a building. Painting does nothing to treat a termite infestation. These pests feed on wood, and if not treated, can infest other areas, significantly reducing the wood’s strength and structural integrity. The best way to deal with termites is to replace the rotten wood before painting.

Prevent mold recurrence

Moisture eventually leads to mold growth. Mold is a severe health hazard and painting over it only worsens the situation. Both dry and wet rot are ideal for mold growth, and not replacing the damaged or rotted wood before painting will allow it to grow further.

Replacing the compromised rotted wood before painting is the only way to ensure a safe and structurally sound home. Professional painters can take care of the rotten wood before painting to enjoy peace of mind and ensure a flawless paint job.

Mark’s Painting offers residential and commercial painting for Tampa, Hillsborough, and Pinellas County. Exterior painting, including priming, sealing, plaster & drywall service, pressure washing. We paint interiors, including ceilings, walls, trim, baseboard, fireplaces, mantels, paneling, wainscoting, doors, and windows. We offer wallpaper removal, caulking, staining and varnishing, refinishing, texturing, specialty finishes, and more. We are licensed and insured. Call us at 813-295-7926