Page 23 - Fall 2020 issue

What is the most challenging part? To discover sooner, rather than later, the small signs that can indicate the likelihood of water intrusion. It’s one thing to talk about how serious water intrusion, rot and structural damage can be...but how do you even know if you have a problem? What are some signs I should look out for? When the caulk and paint are bubbling and blistering and just doesn’t look right, it’s often because of the moisture coming from behind the paint. The Joints and wood trim will look off. If it looks odd at all, it’s smart to reach out to someone to check. It could be failing because moisture is coming from behind the wood trim and is trying to find a way out and it will via those joints in the trim. Look around posts, waterproofing, and beams. How do you know for sure the extent of any damage? First, get an experienced professional or licensed contrac- tor who has dealt with these types of problems to have a look. Then, if warranted, remove some trim details to look behind for the damage and/or have the home inspected for water intrusion by a professional who specializes in that field. If caught early enough, the damage and repairs could be relatively minor, but quite often, by the time you have clear visible evidence, it means the problem has been going on for quite a while and the damage and repairs can be extensive. So we have some damage, now what? Whatever you do, don’t wait too long to make the repairs, because it will only get worse and more expensive. You should hire the most qualified contractor you can find, to make the repair correctly, so it will last, because the repairs can be difficult and costly. 850BuildingGroup.com 23