Wood Rot Repair Wheaton, IL

Wood is popular for its beauty, durability, strength, sustainability, and ease of use. It is the most common building material for homes in Wheaton and the United States. Unfortunately, that means Wheaton homeowners are in an ongoing fight against a key weakness of wood — wood rot. The team at Mr. Handyman can provide you with expert services for wood rot repair in Wheaton, IL. 

Our experienced Wheaton handyman has extensive expertise in wood rot repair, allowing them to thoroughly assess the damage and offer effective solutions to restore the integrity of your wood surfaces. Their in-depth knowledge enables them to address the issue with precision and provide long-lasting results, ensuring the durability of your wood structures. Read more below to learn about how we handle wood rot repair in Wheaton, IL.

Repair And Maintenance Solutions: Wood Rot Repair in Wheaton, IL

A well-maintained fence gives your home curbside appeal, and a cozy deck has a certain aesthetic appeal as the backdrop for gatherings or quiet nights at home. Of course, wood rot poses a threat to both structures.

Wood rot is a form of decay caused by wood-eating fungi that attack wood fibers, causing them to weaken, soften, and crumble, causing serious damage to a home. 

To begin rotting, wood must be exposed to the right conditions for fungi growth: warmth, oxygen, and a moisture content of 20% or higher in the lumber. That's why wood that’s frequently soaked with water is so prone to decay, while dry wood can last hundreds of years without suffering from rot.

Some common signs of wood rot include: 

• Discoloration and darker-colored wood
• Soft, spongy or crumbly texture
• Splintering and cracking
• Hairline cracks and fractures
• Fungus growth is reserved for a specific spot
• Shrinkage
• A damp, musty odor
• Peeling or flaky paint
• Small holes and leakages

Be sure to lookout for water damage or excess moisture around any wooden structure, especially outside the home. If wood is swollen, it’s been exposed to too much moisture and needs to dry out. Swelling does not necessarily mean the wood is rotting, but it can lead to decay if not addressed.

Our Wood Rot Repair Process

Our experienced Wheaton handyman will inspect the rotted wood and the overall condition and structural integrity of the wood system, whether it’s your deck, fence, floorboards, or trims (such as interior baseboards or exterior fascia). 

At Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale, we deliver quality craftsmanship that produces lasting results. Temporary fixes, such as epoxy and wood putty, simply won’t cut it. You can expect our service professionals to replace affected wooden trims and boards efficiently, ensuring no structural damage is evident. 

Trust Mr. Handyman for Quality Wood Rot Repair in Wheaton, IL

You can trust your local Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale for all your wood rot repair and maintenance needs. Our trusted experts have an average of 15 years of experience, so you know they have the know-how to get your job done to your satisfaction. Just check out what our customers have to say about us!

Our trusted and highly qualified handymen are bonded and fully insured to work on residential and commercial properties and can perform a wide range of services. From residential window and flooring repair and installation to commercial ceiling and drywall repair, you can trust that we’re your one-call solution for professional home improvement services.

If you are not satisfied with our work, just call or text us and we’ll come back to make it right. That’s our Neighborly Done Right Promise! Give us a call or text today to find out more about how we can improve your home and make your life easier!

FAQs About Wood Rot Repair in Wheaton, IL

How is Wood Rot Repair Done? Do You Use Wood Hardener?

We do not believe in using hardeners. The most common and effective treatment for decayed wood is to remove the affected piece of wood and replace it with quality materials such as pressure-treated lumber. We'll then paint or stain the new wood so the repair blends in with the rest of the wood and apply a sealant to help it resist moisture incursion in the future.

What Are the Main Types of Wood Rot to Watch Out For?

There are three main types we recommend that you look out for:

• Brown Rot/Dry Rot: The most common type of wood rot, it can dry out your wood out as the fungus penetrates it to eat away at the wood, causing it to become warped. Wood infected with brown rot will have a brittle texture, a darker color, and deeper cracks. Once discovered, you must seek out a wood rot repair in Wheaton immediately. Property owners will find that any wooden structure, such as flooring and decks, will become weaker once exposed to brown rot's fungal spores, and brown rot’s puffy, white fungal growth is contagious. So if one area of your home becomes infected, it will spread to other areas. Adding to the trouble is that it can mutate and regenerate after it digests the wood, so unless you seek out your Wheaton wood rot repair specialist, you will find that this issue is not going anywhere any time soon.
• White Rot: This type of wood occurs when the fungus eats away at the lignin in wood cells, stripping away the color of the wood and leaving behind a soft, spongy texture. White rot attacks living and dead trees, although it typically affects softwoods. It is more common in areas with damp or excess moisture conditions. To treat white rot-infested wood, your skilled technician may use a fungicide to kill the fungus or mold before replacing the affected wood.
• Soft Rot: This is the most uncommon form of wood rot and moves much slower than the brown or white variations. Soft rot devours wood, resulting in a honeycomb-like structure. Soft rot tends to be found in places that are either too hot or too cold for brown or white rot and often starts in the deep inner cavities of the wood in question. Technicians may treat soft rot damage by removing and replacing the affected materials with new, treated wood or using a preservative to remove the mold and prevent future decay.

Where Can I Commonly Find Wood Rot?

Excess moisture is important for fungi growth, so decay can happen wherever wood is exposed to water. This applies to wood outside, but wood inside your home can also be damaged by water vapor, leaks, and improper use of indoor fixtures. Some common locations where you may find wood rot include:

• Wood siding
• Window sills and frames
• Exterior doors
• Entryways (over doors)
• Floors in mud rooms
• Outdoor decking material on porches and decks
• Stairs
• Fences
• Gazebos, sheds, playhouses, and other outdoor structures
• Poorly ventilated bathrooms
• Water leaks under sinks and other water fixtures
• Near leaks around water supply lines
• Attics
• Crawl spaces

Of course, these aren’t all the places you can find wood rot, so be sure to ask your Wheaton Mr. Handyman professional to perform a thorough inspection.

How Do I Check for Wood Rot?

To inspect your home thoroughly, grab a flashlight and screwdriver. Check both the interior and exterior of the house, examining as much wood as possible. Be ready to squeeze into tight places, and make sure to pay extra attention to the areas listed above. 

When you see a suspicious patch, press the screwdriver against it. If it sinks right in with little or no resistance, that's wood rot. Don't forget to check hard-to-reach areas such as crawl spaces and your attic. It's a pain, but decay in those parts of the house can cause issues with your home’s structural stability.

If you don’t want to crawl around your entire property, just contact Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale, and we’ll handle the investigation. We have the experience to notice what others miss and the expertise to remove it efficiently.

How Can I Prevent Wood Rot from Occurring?

The best preventative measure against decay is to never permit water to touch wood, but that can be difficult. A few things you can do to help reduce the risk of rot include:

• Clean and repair rain gutters twice a year to prevent them from overflowing and causing water damage to the house.
• Stain or paint outdoor lumber and coat every side with sealant.
• Trim back trees and bushes so moisture-laden leaves aren't brushing up against exterior wood.
• Make sure bathrooms are properly ventilated, and always run the exhaust fan when you're in the shower or bath.

And, of course, ask your professional Wheaton handyman how to prevent wood rot in your home.

Need a Professional Wood Rot Repair in Wheaton, IL? Call Or Text Mr. Handyman Today!

With our skilled and knowledgeable service experts on your side, you know that we can handle any wood rot problem. Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch solutions that will leave your property looking as good as new. Let us take care of all your wood rot issues.

Whether you're in Wheaton, Roselle, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Glendale Heights, or the surrounding area, you can count on quality workmanship and excellent customer service from the professionals at Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale.

Call or text us today to find out how we can solve your wood rot concerns or learn more about our other popular handyman services!