Blair writes: I'm in a 30-year-old house built on a brick-ledge slab. The trouble is that the previous owner/builder used reverse board-and-batten siding to instead of brick. Over the years, rain hitting the ledge on the slab bounced up to rot the lower 2-4 inches of wood and likely the sole plate of the wall framing. My thought is to cut a foot or so above the rot around the … [Read more...] about Splashback Rots Vertical Siding
Insects & Wood Decay
Getting Bids for Rot Repair
Rich writes: On 75 townhouse units, is it better to get bids or pay for time and materials on new siding and repair of dry rot? You can't tell the extent of the dry rot until the siding is removed. I think the job will cost $300,000 to $400,000 to complete. The association members have many views. What do you advise? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdvisor.com responds: It sounds … [Read more...] about Getting Bids for Rot Repair
Fixing Bouncy and Sagging Floors
Gary writes: The first and second floors in our house seem overly bouncy and sag toward the middle. How can we evaluate whether the floors need reinforcement and, if so, what is the best way to do this? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdvisor.com responds: If the floor is sagging visibly in the middle or is very bouncy, you may want to reinforce the floor to eliminate the sag and … [Read more...] about Fixing Bouncy and Sagging Floors
Repairing Termite and Water Damage
T.M. writes : I bought an older home described as “move-in-ready”. It was built in the early 1920's with green lumberyard wood over a crawlspace, and heated with a coal stove. A poured Michigan basement was added after the fact. A room with a bath and bedroom was added later with a dirt crawlspace floor. The addition had no insulation and no venting. The soil around the house … [Read more...] about Repairing Termite and Water Damage
Composite Trim for Decks and Porches
Mamie writes: I am in need of direction. I have a totally wrapped front porch. The finish wood is pine and is definitely rotting on the outer face and edges. I need to use a product that will not rot, such as a composite. Which do you recommend. Also, how do you attach a composite material to the existing porch framing? I do have the porch wood sealed every year, but the wood … [Read more...] about Composite Trim for Decks and Porches