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3 Sources Of Wood Rot On Your Roof And How To Seek Timely Repairs

Out of the many things that could go wrong with an old roof, wood rot is perhaps the most underrated issue. Wood rot occurs when wooden sections of your roof start to become damaged and lose stability over time. This type of damage is most common in areas such as the roof deck, frame, underlayment, and ridge boards. Because detecting wood rot can be challenging, this type of damage is a silent killer on your roof and can go on for years without being detected. What's even worse is that wood rot spreads to other sections of your roof and can eventually weaken the stability of your home.

Luckily, timely inspections and repairs can be carried out to prevent wood rot damage. Roof repair contractors use a combination of techniques to detect and eliminate wood rot in its early stages. But which sections of your roof are most prone to wood rot? Read on to find out.  

1.    Exposed frames

Exposed wooden frames along your roof can begin to experience wood rot over time. Most of this rotting is caused by wet conditions such as leaks in your roof. Clogged gutters can also accelerate roof rot because they result in pools of water overflowing onto your wooden frames. If the trims that attach to your gutters are made of wood, the moisture will further increase the likelihood of wood rot.

You can prevent wood rot along your roof frames by fixing the gutter system. Make sure your gutters are regularly cleaned and replaced when damaged. Furthermore, you should have any roofing leaks fixed as soon as possible. Getting rid of leaks will allow for proper circulation of air along wooden frames and prevent moisture accumulation.

2.    Support beams

The support beams on your roof are another common area where wood rot occurs. Such rotting is caused by moisture and the growth of biological matter such as fungi and mold.

A roof repair contractor can inspect your support beams for any signs of wood rot. If detected, repairs can be done by replacing heavily damaged beams and creating proper airflow to eliminate excess moisture. Contractors may reattach the beams to your home in a manner that reduces moisture content.

3.    Underlayment

Wood rot also occurs in your roof's underlayment. This is perhaps the hardest place to detect rot because it isn't visible from the surface. In fact, you would have to remove shingles and other upper layers of the roof to determine the true extent of rotting in the underlayment.

Luckily, your repair contractor can carry out such inspections using advanced tools. This will give you a good idea of how much rot has occurred and what will need to be replaced. Your roof vents may also need to be replaced to better control airflow and moisture levels in the underlayment.   

For more information on repairing wood rot in your roof, contact a roofing contractor today.