How to Prevent Wood Rot?

The decay of wood is becoming an increasingly common issue for homeowners. It has the potential to cause structural damage and increase the costs of repairs significantly. The good news is that decay in wood may be avoided with sufficient knowledge and the appropriate equipment. This article will investigate what causes wood rot, how it can be identified, and what steps can be taken to prevent it.

We will also address some of the most prevalent forms of wood, such as cedar, as well as the types of wood that are more prone to developing wood rots. This will provide you with all of the information you need to know in order to protect your home from becoming a victim of this problem. Pesky problem!

What Is Wood Rot, And What Are The Signs Of Rotten Timber?

In order for a type of deterioration known as wood rot to take hold in a piece of lumber, the wood must have a moisture content of at least 20 percent. Consequently, it is not possible for it to impact dry lumber, despite the fact that it is commonly referred to as dry rot.

Because of this, lumber that is exposed to the outdoors, such as on a deck or the exterior of a house, is the ideal environment for the fungus that causes wood rot to begin its spread. Still, if it is kept dry and isolated from any source of moisture, lumber may keep its structural integrity for an indefinitely long time—sometimes even hundreds of years. Because of this, every piece of advice that follows will focus on preventing moisture from penetrating your wood in whatever way is feasible.

Looking for evidence of wood rot? Conduct a careful inspection of the wood found inside and around your home for the following signs:

• Wood that has been discoloured may appear off-white, become darker, or have a hue that is either yellowish or purple.
• The appearance of the wood is either stringy or webbed, and it has fissures.
• The process through which timber crumbles into "sawdust" or into cube-shaped bits is referred to as "cubical fracture."

Do you suspect you have rot? Discover the answer by grabbing a screwdriver and pressing it against a patch that seems suspicious. If it goes right through with little or no resistance, then you have true wood rot, and you should have a professional repair the rotten timber before it may cause major structural damage. If it sinks right through, then you have actual wood rot.

How To Prevent Wood Rot

You are concerned about the possibility of degradation occuring on your property, right? You are most definitely not the only one. It is a significant issue for homeowners that has the potential to spiral out of control in a relatively short amount of time if preventative actions are not done. The following are seven pointers that will assist you in avoiding purchasing bad timber.

Stain Or Paint Outdoor Lumber

When constructing an outdoor construction of any kind, starting with decay-resistant or pressure-treated lumber is a smart decision. This applies to building a deck, gazebo, or any other outside structure. However, it is also very necessary to apply paint or stain to all sides of each piece of timber, and then seal it for a water-repellent surface, before nailing or screwing it into place. This should be done before nailing or screwing it into position.

Keep Gutters Clean

It's possible that clogged gutters are the single most important factor in rotting wood. Rainwater that accumulates on your roof should be collected by your gutters on a normal basis. It is more than you might believe and directs it away from your house to keep your family safe. However, when they are clogged with decaying leaves and other debris, all of that water will instead run down the exterior of your home. This will result in serious moisture damage, including rot in the wood, both inside and outside of the structure.

Don't Cover Timber With Moisture-attracting Items.

You should do everything in your power to keep the wood from coming into contact with anything that could potentially draw moisture. For instance, you shouldn't lean anything against the wood siding since water can get in between the boards and cause mould to grow. Also, if you have a timber deck, you should avoid placing rugs or mats on it; if you absolutely must have them, plastic is a better option than natural fibres.

Trim Back Branches And Sweep Away Soil

In the same vein as the previous piece of advice, you should try to keep leaves that are wet from coming into contact with wood. It is important to keep shrubs and tree branches trimmed back and at least a couple of feet away from structures such as decks, porches, siding, and the like. Additionally, it would be beneficial if you did all in your power to minimise the amount of time that the wood was exposed to wet soil. It is important to remove any surplus dirt from behind wooden fences in order to provide space and to stop the soil from piling up around deck posts.

Maintain Window And Door Frames

The majority of doors and windows have framing made of wood, which is naturally vulnerable to rot in the wood. However, when the caulking around windows and doors deteriorates or is damaged by insects, these openings become highways for water and allow moisture to enter the interior of your walls, which in turn causes the structural timber to rot. When this happens, the caulking around your windows and doors becomes a highway for water.

Proper Ventilation Indoors

Some of these pointers have focused on preventing water from getting into your home from the outside, but humidity can also come from within your home. As a result of the presence of water vapour, spaces and rooms that are subjected to high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms, attics, and crawl spaces, are more susceptible to the deterioration of lumber. Because of this, they need to have adequate ventilation with the help of the necessary fans and vents in order to prevent the moisture content of your timber from beginning to rise.

Check Regularly For Signs Of Wood Rot

Your most effective line of defence against decaying wood is vigilance. Checking each and every piece of lumber in your house should be on the to-do list for the annual maintenance inspection you perform on your home. Be sure to check out visible places like window sills and check appliances like your water heater for evidence of moisture that could affect adjoining lumber. Other places to look for moisture include the attic and the basement. Also, check the area around the water supply lines for any leaks. Last but not least, do not overlook difficult-to-reach regions such as crawl spaces or the space underneath decks and porches.

What Is Dry Rot?

Dry rot, sometimes referred to as brown rot, is a type of wood deterioration that is produced by fungi and can destroy any wooden constructions found either inside or outside of your home. Fungi are responsible for the development of dry rot, a process in which the wood's cellulose and hemicellulose, the components that give the wood its strength and durability, are degraded. Because of this, the wood is rendered weaker and brittle, and it frequently takes on a blocky appearance.

Dry rot may only occur in wood that is wet, often with a moisture content that is more than 20 percent. As a result of this, the elimination of the dry rot's source of moisture have to be at the centre of any approach for its elimination. Continue reading for additional advice on how to avoid dry rot.

How Does Dry Rot Spread?

The fungus that causes dry rot generates spores, which are carried through the air by the wind. If they fall onto wood that has been subjected to a high degree of moisture from any of the following sources, they will begin to germinate. These sources of moisture are:

• Before being used in construction, the wood was not kiln-dried effectively to get its moisture content down to less than 20 percent of its total volume.
• An region of the house that has an abnormally high level of humidity is the wood location.
• There has been direct contact with a significant amount of water, such as when there was flooding as a result of a pipe that broke.

For the spores to germinate and become fruiting bodies, they require warmth, oxygen, moisture, and a food supply (often wood) (between 71 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal). If it is not stopped, dry rot will cause the wood to become so brittle that it might eventually fall apart.

How To Identify Dry Rot

• Examine the wood for defects. In its early stages, the fungus has the appearance of cotton wool and may have water droplets on its surface if the surrounding environment is particularly humid.
• Examine the wood to see if it is hollow or shrunken.
• Observe how the wood structure is getting darker and developing fissures.
• Be on the lookout for afflicted wood that has a growth that resembles a skin and is flat. This growth could have hues of silver and grey like the outside of a mushroom. It is easy to peel and is frequently patterned with patches of light purple or yellow.

Treatment For Dry Rot

• Treatments using epoxy. Epoxy treatment should be used to fill in any channels that exist within the damaged timber structure. This will prevent the rot from spreading and will fortify the structure of the wood.
• Commercial antifreeze. Antifreeze can be used to treat dry rot, which will kill the fungus and stop any further spread of the disease.
• Compounds containing copper If you intend to splice in new wood to fix the damage caused by dry rot, you will first need to remove the bad section. Then, before adding the new wood, saturate the surface of the existing wood with a copper compound until it is completely covered.

Dry Rot Prevention

It's not hard to take preventative measures against dry rot. Follow these actions to the best of your ability to reduce the amount of time that wood in your home is exposed to moisture:

• Siding - Make sure that the wood siding is thoroughly sealed and that an experienced siding installer puts it on.
• Prior to painting, make sure that any wood that will be exposed to the elements has been primed on all six sides.
• Roofing: Have your roof inspected once a year so that any possible issues with water damage, mould, or dry rot may be discovered and remedied. Installing gutters will help to divert water away from your home's foundation and walls when it rains.
• Leaks in the plumbing system are a frequent source of dry rot. Look for signs of water damage behind sink vanities and cabinets, as well as around toilets. If you find any, you should get them fixed as soon as possible.
• Ventilation - Check to see that all of your living spaces, including the kitchen, bathrooms, and attic, have adequate ventilation to remove excess moisture from the air.
• Deck - Make sure that your deck is sealed properly. If you hire a carpenter to construct a new deck for you, you should have it built at an angle so that water may run off of it easily.
• When working on your landscaping, make sure to position sprinklers so that they do not spray water over the external trim of your home.

What Is Wet Rot?

To describe it in the simplest terms possible, wet rot is the natural deterioration of wood that occurs when it is exposed to excessive levels of moisture.

The word "wet rot" is a generic term that is frequently used to describe the many different kinds of fungi that are responsible for wet rot. Cellar Fungus is the species of these wet rot fungi that is found the most frequently. These damp rot fungi obtain their sustenance by destroying the cell walls of the wood they infect. This results in a gradual decrease in the strength of the wood as time passes.

Any piece of wood that is subjected to an excessive amount of moisture will turn into an excellent breeding ground for wet rot pours. There are a variety of potential causes for the excess moisture that ultimately results in wet rot. For instance, it could be the result of a leaking roof, burst pipes in your home, a leaking bathtub, or a washing machine that has not been correctly installed by a plumber. All of these problems can be prevented by hiring a plumber.

The presence of an excessive amount of moisture in your home might have a variety of causes, but the final consequence is always the same. In the event that your timbers have been subjected to humidity for an extended period of time, the end result is likely to be a sort of wet rot, which will require treatment.

Although wet rot and dry rot are frequently confused with one another, these two diseases are extremely distinct from one another and require very different treatments. Even though wet rot is not as damaging as dry rot, if it is allowed to progress without being addressed, it can still cause significant structural damage to your building.

What Causes Wet Rot?

Wet rot is a type of rot that only appears in wood that has been exposed to water. In timbers that have grown damp as a result of an excess of moisture, wet rot can frequently be found. Wet rot is a type of wood decay that, in general, can appear anywhere on a piece of land where there is water present and the water has been in prolonged contact with the wood. The following, however, is a list of the most typical factors that lead to the development of wet rot:

• Broken water pipes/leaking water pipes
• A roof that is leaking, guttering that is faulty, or air bricks that are defective.
• leaking bathtubs and leaky showers due to faulty sealing
• Incorrectly or improperly plumbed in appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and other comparable devices.

After the damp rot and the timber have both been treated, it is necessary to discover the underlying reason for the problem so that it will not recur in the future. Even if new timbers are put and the underlying cause of the wet rot is not identified, it is possible that the problem may continue to occur in the future.

The presence of moisture in the timbers is the primary factor that leads to wet rot; in order to fix the problem, you need to identify the primary cause of the wet rot on your property and the source of the excess moisture. After that, you will be able to have the underlying problem rectified and your wet rot cured.

How To Identify Wet Rot

The fact that wet rot frequently spreads in areas of the property that are not easily observable, such as behind the stairs, in the loft, or underneath the flooring, is one of the most significant problems associated with this type of rot. Therefore, it is difficult to determine if the wood-rot fungus that is damaging your property is wet rot or dry rot. This is because both types of rot are caused by fungi. Wet rot is notoriously difficult to detect, and as a result, it is frequently not discovered until it has developed into a far more serious issue.

The following are some of the most telling symptoms that your property is suffering from damp rot. In the event that you observe any of these, we advise you to get in touch with our wet rot specialists. They are able to provide you with counsel and identify wet rot in its earlier stages, preventing major structural damage issues from occuring as a result of the problem.

Inspect the lumber to see whether it has any localised fungus forming on it.

If the timber in your home has been compromised by damp rot, you'll be able to tell because it will have a mushy, spongey texture. Even after receiving a coat of paint, the wood will have a smooth and pliable texture, and you may note that it appears darker than the wood that is all around it.

After the wood has had time to dry up, it will fracture and fall apart with relative ease. Again, prod the wood with your finger to see whether it breaks apart into smaller pieces as you do so.

Another sign of damp rot on your home is if the wood surrounding the door and window frames has turned a lighter colour; this may be done by visually inspecting the area.

Take a look at your painting skills. It's possible that you have wet rot if the paint is peeling or cracked. Take a knife with a narrow blade and make a small incision in the painted wood. The knife should stop going in after a short distance, but if it continues all the way up to the handle, this is a solid sign that there is moist rot on your wood, which is located behind your paint.

On your property, you might detect a musty odour that is accompanied by dampness. Once again, this is a sign of wet rot and one of the ways that you can recognise wet rot in your home.

In the event that you have found evidence of possible wet rot in any one or more of the aforementioned ways, it is strongly suggested that you get in touch with one of our wet rot experts. They will let you know in a timely manner whether or not your property has wet rot and recommend the next step to take.

Does Wet Rot Spread?

Unlike dry rot, moist rot does not spread. However, this does not mean that it can be left untreated, as doing so can cause significant structural damage to your property if it is allowed to progress unchecked. Dry rot does not travel through the stonework like wet rot does. When the moisture is eliminated, the growth of the damp rot will come to an end. In order to effectively cure wet rot, it is necessary to locate and address the underlying source of the condition.

If your home experiences an increase in humidity, you run the risk of a wet rot infestation in any untreated wood that you have on your property.

Can Wet Rot Be Treated Yourself?

When dealing with wet rot concerns, it is highly recommended that you acquire assistance from a qualified professional wet rot specialist. This is due to the fact that the wet rot itself needs to be treated, but in addition to that, the source of the excessive moisture needs to be identified and the problem must be corrected.

When it comes to wet rot, many do-it-yourselfers have the misconception that they are capable of taking on the world. However, this is a strategy that we do not suggest. Someone who does not have the necessary skills or tools for this job may find that it takes a very long time to do this task. If the damp rot is not dealt with completely or appropriately, it can also cause major and sometimes dangerous damage to the structure of a building.

If you discover wet rot on your property, it is strongly advised that you have it treated by a qualified professional because wet rot has the potential to easily damage the structural integrity of your property.

In rare instances, the timber surrounding the damp rot can be saved and used for something else. This indicates that you may be able to splice fresh timber onto old timber, particularly if the damaged section is only a minor portion of the whole.

However, a suitable preservative must be applied to all of the new wood as well as the wood that is nearby. This will lessen the likelihood that fungi will start growing again. In addition to this, it is necessary to wait until the entire area has had a chance to dry up completely before closing it off.

Again, we would urge that you call in a wet rot professional for the safety of both you and your property if you have any doubts about your ability to handle this as a do-it-yourself project or if you do not have any prior experience in this field.

How To Treat Wet Rot?

The treatment for wet rot eliminates the cause of the moisture problem while also drying out the areas surrounding the infestation. If you do that, you will prevent the rot from regenerating in the future.

The level of severity of the problem will determine the method that will be used to eliminate wet rot. In the vast majority of instances, just small portions of the affected timber will need to be removed, replaced, and possibly sprayed with a fungicidal treatment.

Wet Rot Treatment Process

• Determine the cause, nature, and degree of the deterioration.
• Find out what caused it, identify where the moisture is coming from, and make sure the space around it is completely dry.
• Put out a treatment plan for the rot, including with all of the necessary specifications and a method statement for treating wet rot.
• In areas where damp rot has caused the timber to lose its structural integrity, the affected timber will need to be removed and replaced.
• After that, an application of a wood hardener and preservative have to be made to the surrounding region.
• Please advise what additional precautions, if any, are necessary to ensure the safety of the property.

As is the case with the vast majority of issues that might arise in connection with real estate, damp rot tends to become more severe after an extended period of time during which no action has been taken to address the issue. If wet rot is discovered in its early stages, it is possible that only small sections of the affected timber may need to be treated. However, in more severe cases in which the rot has had time to spread over the timber, it may be required to replace the affected timber entirely.

In more serious cases, such as when the structural timber of a property has been significantly weakened, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a wet rot specialist. This is because it is possible that large amounts of infected timber will need to be replaced in order to guarantee that the structural integrity of your property is maintained and that it is safe for you and your family to live there.

If you are experiencing issues with wet rot, you should order a wet rot survey online so that a surveyor can perform a thorough inspection, assist you in finding a solution, and provide advice.

What Is The Cost Of Wet Rot Treatment?

Because each home and situation involving wet rot is unique, it is necessary to cure it with a customised approach. Through the completion of our online wet rot survey, we are able to make the necessary arrangements for a wet rot expert to visit your house and carry out a comprehensive assessment. Because of this, we will be able to have a comprehensive understanding of the wet rot problem in your home and provide you with an exact estimate for the treatment of wet rot.

Conclusion

Wood decay is becoming more of a widespread problem for homeowners. The damage that wood rot can do to a building and the subsequent repair costs can be devastating. This article will explore the origins of wood rot, diagnostic techniques, and preventative measures. Having wood rot in your home is a major problem that can quickly get out of hand. Blockages in gutter systems are the primary cause of wood rot.

Wetness causes rot in wood, which can spread throughout the building from the inside out. Keep bushes and tree limbs at a safe distance from your home's deck, porch, siding, and other exposed wood surfaces. Insects and moisture cause the caulking around windows and doors to deteriorate. With all these crevices, water has easy access to your walls. Dry rot, caused by fungi, is a serious problem that can affect any wooden structures in or around your home.

Dry rot is caused by fungi and results in the degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose in the wood. Extensive exposure to moisture causes dry rotting of wood, which is known as wet rot. Make sure there is proper ventilation in all rooms to get rid of the stale air and humidity. Water can be directed away from your home's foundation and walls if gutters are installed. Although there are many potential origins of indoor humidity problems, they all lead to the same outcome: structural damage.

Wet rot is a problem that can develop on timbers that have been exposed to high humidity for a long time. In most cases, wet rot is caused by excessive moisture within the timbers themselves. Since wet rot is so hard to spot, it's usually not addressed until it's become a major problem. Whether the wood-rot fungus wreaking havoc on your property is wet rot or dry rot can be a challenge to diagnose. Peeling or cracking paint on door or window frames may indicate wet rot.

Unlike wet rot, which can seep through stone, dry rot cannot spread. If you notice any signs of wet rot, get in touch with a professional right away. It is highly recommended that you have a professional take care of any wet rot you find on your property. If left untreated, wet rot can compromise the stability of your home. Wet rot can be treated by removing the underlying moisture problem and then drying out the affected area.

When ignored for a long time, damp rot can quickly spread and cause significant damage. If wet rot is caught early, only a small portion of the compromised wood may need to be replaced.

Content Summary

1. Wood decay is becoming more of a widespread problem for homeowners.
2. The good news is that wood decay can be prevented with the right training and tools.
3. This article will explore the origins of wood rot, diagnostic techniques, and preventative measures.
4. We will also discuss the most common types of wood, such as cedar, and those that are more susceptible to wood rots.
5. Everything you need to know to safeguard your house from this menace is included here.
6. Wood rot, a form of decay, requires a moisture content of at least 20% before it can spread through a piece of lumber.
7. Since this is the case, despite the name, "dry rot" cannot affect dry wood.
8. If it penetrates with little to no effort, then you have true wood rot and should have a professional replace the rotten wood before it can do serious structural damage.
9. Here are seven guidelines that will help you avoid buying defective wood.
10. In addition to nailing or screwing the wood into place, it is crucial to paint or stain all sides, and then seal it for a water-resistant surface.
11. Be Sure Your Gutters Are Clear Clogged gutters might be the single most significant cause of rotting wood.
12. This will cause severe moisture damage, including rot in the wood, both inside and outside of the building.
13. Do everything in your power to prevent the wood from coming into contact with anything that could absorb moisture.
14. Keep bushes and tree limbs pruned back and at least two feet away from your home's decks, porches, siding, and other exposed wood surfaces.
15. Additionally, it is recommended that you do everything possible to reduce the amount of time the wood spends in contact with damp ground.
16. Keep Door and Window Sills in Good Shape The vast majority of door and window frames are constructed entirely of wood, making them especially susceptible to the damaging effects of rot.
17. However, if the caulking around your windows and doors has worn away or been damaged by insects, these gaps will act as highways for water, allowing moisture to seep inside your walls and rot the structural timber.
18. It turns the caulking around your windows and doors into a highway for water.
19. When exposed to high humidity, wood deteriorates more quickly, so avoid putting it in damp places like bathrooms, attics, or crawl spaces.
20. This means installing fans and vents as needed to ensure the wood stays dry.
21. Verify the absence of wood rot on a regular basis. Vigilance is your best defence against rotting wood.
22. As part of your yearly home maintenance inspection, you should check the condition of all the wood in your house.
23. The attic and the basement are two more potential sources of moisture.
24. In addition, make sure there are no water leaks near the water supply lines.
25. Dry rot, also known as brown rot, is a fungal decay of wood that can severely damage or even completely destroy any wooden structures inside or outside of your home.
26. Only wet wood, typically with a moisture content of more than 20 percent, is susceptible to developing dry rot.
27. Therefore, any strategy for getting rid of dry rot needs to centre on getting rid of the moisture source that the fungus needs to thrive.
28. If you want to learn more about preventing dry rot, read on!
29. Find out if the wood has shrunk or is hollow by inspecting it.
30. Epoxy-based treatments for dry rot.
31. You can stop the rot from spreading and strengthen the wood's structure by doing this.
32. Cu-containing chemicals As a prerequisite to repairing dry rot damage by splicing in new wood, the affected area must be removed.
33. The Avoidance of Dry Rot Taking precautions to avoid dry rot is simple.
34. To keep the wood in your home dry for as long as possible, try to implement these measures: Siding - Have a professional siding installer do the job, and make sure the wood siding is properly sealed.
35. Roofs should be inspected annually to catch problems like water leaks, mould growth, and dry rot in their early stages.
36. Most cases of dry rot can be traced back to plumbing leaks.
37. Look for mould or mildew around the toilets and for water damage behind the sink cabinets and vanities.
38. Seal your deck properly to prevent water damage.
39. It is important to avoid getting water on the exterior trim of your home by positioning sprinklers appropriately.
40. The many different types of fungi that cause wet rot are often grouped together under the umbrella term "wet rot."
41. Wet rot can result from a number of different sources of excess moisture.
42. There is a common misunderstanding that the two diseases, wet rot and dry rot, are the same.
43. While wet rot may not be as catastrophic as dry rot, it can still do serious damage to your building if left unchecked.
44. Only wood that has been in contact with water will develop wet rot, which is a form of decay.
45. But here are some of the most common causes of wet rot: Pipes leaking or bursting, causing water damage Problems with the roof, gutters, or air bricks that cause leaks.
46. After the timber and damp rot have been repaired, the root of the issue must be identified so that it does not return.
47. It's possible that the wet rot issue will persist even if new timbers are installed if the root cause is not determined.
48. Wet rot occurs most often when timbers are exposed to excess moisture; fixing the problem requires determining the root cause of the wet rot on your property.
49. The root cause will then be addressed, and your wet rot will be cured.
50. As a result, telling whether the wood-rot fungus wreaking havoc on your property is wet rot or dry rot can be a challenge.
51. Some of the most obvious signs that damp rot has set in on your property are as follows.
52. The wood in your home will have a soft, sponge-like texture if damp rot has compromised it.
53. If you notice peeling or cracking paint, it could be a sign of wet rot.
54. With a sharp, narrow knife, shave off a tiny bit of the painted wood.
55. It's worth repeating that this is another telltale sign of wet rot in your house.
56. Curing wet rot requires getting to the root of the problem, wherever that may be.
57. Any untreated wood in your home is vulnerable to wet rot if you experience a rise in relative humidity.
58. It is strongly suggested that you seek assistance from a certified professional wet rot specialist when dealing with wet rot problems.
59. Damp rot can cause serious and potentially dangerous structural damage to a building if not treated properly or thoroughly.
60. Wet rot can quickly weaken the integrity of your home's framework, so it's important to have it dealt with by a professional as soon as possible if you find any signs of it.
61. In extremely unusual cases, the wood adjacent to the damp rot can be salvaged and reused.
62. If you are unsure of your ability to complete this as a DIY project or if you lack experience in this area, we strongly advise that you hire a wet rot professional to ensure the safety of both you and your property.
63. Wet rot treatment entails getting rid of the water source as well as drying out the affected area.
64. Methods for Treating Wet Rot Find out what's causing the decline and how bad it is.
65. Wood that has lost its structural integrity due to damp rot must be removed and replaced.
66. If there is anything else that needs to be done to make sure the property is safe, please let me know.
67. More severe cases, such as when structural timber has been significantly weakened, necessitate consulting a wet rot specialist.
68. If you have wet rot, you can have a professional surveyor inspect the problem, help you find a solution, and give you advice by ordering a wet rot survey online.
69. How much does it typically cost to treat wet rot?
70. When you fill out our online wet rot survey, we'll be able to schedule a visit from a wet rot expert who will inspect your home thoroughly.
71. This will allow us to fully grasp the scope of the wet rot issue at your house and give you an accurate quote for fixing it.