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Mr. Handyman How To Guide

Dry Rot and Homeowner's Insurance

One of the problems we are most often called about in this frequently damp climate is repair of rotted or insect-damaged wood, from wooden steps, to porch floor boards, to back decks to window casings. Repair can range from simple to complex, from inexpensive to costly. In many cases, homeowners will contact their insurance companies, only to be told that this type of degradation is NOT covered by their policy. Why? Because insurance companies view wood rot and insect damage as a preventable condition, something that can and should be prevented by routine maintenance. The problem is, this type of damage is frequently not apparent until the damage is well underway, for example when one's hefty boss comes over for dinner and falls through the front porch into the bee's nest below (in this case, the injury liability rider on your policy may kick in).

Here's what you can do to prevent larger and possibly more dangerous problems associated with dry rot and insect damage:

1. Have your home inspected by a qualified home inspector at least once every 3 years and address wood decay problems immediately (e.g. fumigation, repair),
2. Repair any damaged wood when it first appears (e.g. the boss scenario above [bummer], mold or mildew, leakage around the windows),
3. Pressure wash and stain or paint horizontal surfaces such as steps, porches and decks on a regular (yearly) basis.
   

Case Study

Situation: James J. of Magnolia contacted Mr. Handyman to replace several small areas of apparent dry rot.

Problem: In getting to the decayed wood we discovered that the problem had been caused by moisture ant infestation which had damaged not only the siding of the house which was obvious but much of the supporting structure. In fact, the wood supporting one corner of this two-storey house was so eaten away that that portion of the house was on the verge of collapse. All this came to light within two weeks of the couple's silver anniversary cruise on the QE2.

Solution: Mr. Handyman quickly removed the damaged wood. Exterminators fumigated the surrounding structure. Mr. Handyman replaced structural lumber with materials superior to those used in the original 1978 construction and in compliance with 2005 building codes and insulated and re-sided that corner of the house.

Bonus: Mr. Handyman consulted an independent insurance broker who informed us that the home owner's insurance, while it would probably not cover decay which might have been prevented via routine maintenance and repair, might cover damage if the house was in danger of imminent collapse". Mr. Handyman provided this information to the homeowner, along with digital photography of damaged structural elements. This enabled the homeowner to secure homeowner's insurance compensation, which largely covered the costs of repair.

Mr. Handyman's pledge: On Time. Done Right. Mr. Handyman is a licensed general contractor in the State of Washington and is bonded and insured. Its technicians are direct employees and have a minimum of 15 years of experience.

WARNING: Do not let your house decay to the point of imminent collapse. It makes for a costly repair, despite possible insurance coverage and, moreover, it's extremely dangerous for any living creatures inside (or immediately outside) the building. Furthermore, do not let your porch steps or deck decay to the point of endangering you, your children or your employer. And repair at the first signs of decay is much less expensive than when it has widely spread.

Learn more: To learn more about wood rot visit:
http://www.diydata.com/problem/timberrot/timberrot.htm

To learn more about moisture ants visit: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/homehort/pest/moisture_ants.htm