Can a Little Wood Rot Ruin My Windows?

Window Replacements In Houston

Are your wood windows showing signs of their age? Wood is particularly susceptible to moisture problems in the form of rot, especially as time and weather do their damage.

But just how bad is it if your windows are rotting? And how do you address the problem? Here’s what you need to know and what to do if your windows have wood rot.

What Makes Wood Windows Rot? 

Obviously, the culprit behind rotting wood is moisture—but let’s look a little closer at the issue. As your windows age, they get exposed to rain, hail, ice, wind, and pests—all of which can take a toll on wood. Add to that a lack of upkeep (such as peeling paint that isn’t fixed), and moisture gets into the wood and wears it down.

Signs Your Windows Are Rotting 

Wood rot causes several symptoms that you can keep an eye out for. Check your windows for:

Soft spots 

When wood rots, it becomes soft and spongy. If you notice the wooden window frame gives easily under your touch or under pressure from a screwdriver, you have wood rot.

Moldy odors and stains 

Excess moisture invites mold to grow, so you are likely to see brown and black stains and mildew-like odors in and around your wood windows. If so, rot is also likely to be present.

Worn-out paint 

Moisture also causes paint and wood stains to blister, peel, and loosen. And that damage exposes the wood underneath to dampness which leads to rot.

Discoloration 

As wood rots, other related moisture issues crop up—such as discolored or stained shingles and trim.

Gaps or Loose Areas 

Rotting wood begins to wear away and lose its shape, which may lead to gaps between the window frame and your walls. Parts of the frame may be loose.

How to Solve Wood Rot in Your Windows 

Once your wood windows begin to rot, the problem will simply grow worse—because rot spreads! And it can move from your window frames to other wooden parts of your home’s inner structure. So, it’s vital to address the issue. 

Depending on how advanced the moisture damage is and your personal preferences, you can consider these three options:

1. Apply an epoxy treatment

If you manage to catch wood rot very early, you may be able to treat the weak spot with an epoxy coating. This solution only works if the piece of wood you’re fixing is at least 80-85% intact.

To use epoxy, you will first need to gently remove the small spots of wood rot with a tool like a chisel until only healthy wood remains. Choose an epoxy designed for wood, mix it, and apply it to the damaged area with a putty knife.

2. Replace the damaged piece

Once the wood is damaged more significantly than epoxy can handle, replacement becomes necessary. If only one section of the wood window frame is affected (while others remain healthy), then you might remove the rotten piece and install fresh wood in its place.

This approach is obviously much more involved than a quick epoxy treatment. You’ll need to fit the wood piece precisely, ensure the window’s structure remains secure, and match the design and tint to make the repair look good.

3. Install new windows 

Once windows suffer from wood rot, it can be hard to get rid of all the damaged areas safely. Rot is sneaky, and it can foster mold and mildew too. The problems can add up all too quickly, and repairs are notoriously difficult to do effectively.

Aging windows with significant wood rot are best updated with new ones. Today’s replacement windows are designed to resist moisture damage, condensation, and mold growth—without requiring constant upkeep. And they’ll boost energy efficiency and bring in fresh air and natural light too.

Source: sidinggroup

Southwestern Roofing: We had our humble beginnings, but our goals have always been the same: To offer quality workmanship at a fair and reasonable price in addition to always treating each of you with honesty, integrity, and respect. Meeting with you, sharing ideas, and helping you achieve that goal has been a welcomed privilege.

Window Replacements in Houston

Southwestern Roofing in Houston, Roofing Company in Houston, Roof Replacements in Houston, Roof Installations in Houston, Roof Repairs in Houston, Routine Roof Maintenance in Houston, Roof Inspections in Houston, Window Replacements in Houston, Patio Installations in Houston, Siding Replacements in Houston, Fence Replacements in Houston, Remodeling in Houston, Exterior Painting in Houston, Room Additions in Houston, Deck Installations in Houston, Gutter Installations in Houston, Exterior Repairs in Houston, Fence Installation in Houston, Free Roof Inspection in Houston, Free Residential Roof Inspection in Houston