Home repair & carpentry
Rotten Wood Replacement in the Lake Livingston Area
Rotted fascia, soffits, window sills and subfloors cut out and replaced with sound wood before the damage spreads.
Stop rot before it spreads
Wood rot starts small, a soft corner on the fascia or a sill that gives under your thumb, and keeps growing as long as the wood stays wet. In a humid climate with heavy rain, it is one of the most common repairs on East Texas homes.
Onalaska Builders replaces rotted wood with our own crews, and because we also handle gutters, roofing and exterior work, we look at where the water is coming from.
We repair and replace:
- Fascia boards
- Soffits
- Window sills
- Subfloors
What to look for
Signs of wood rot
- Wood that feels soft or spongy, or that a screwdriver sinks into easily
- Peeling or bubbling paint that keeps coming back in the same spot
- Dark staining, cracking or crumbling wood
- Sagging fascia or gaps where soffit panels have loosened
- Soft spots in the floor, especially near tubs, toilets and exterior doors
- A musty smell in one area
If you see signs of insects such as mud tubes or hollow-sounding wood, have a licensed pest inspection before repairs, since damage from wood-destroying insects needs to be treated as well as repaired.
Common locations
Where rot happens and why
- Fascia and soffits. Clogged or overflowing gutters send water behind the gutter and into the fascia board, and from there into the soffit. See gutter services.
- Window sills. Failed caulk and paint let rain soak in and sit. See window and door repair.
- Subfloors. Slow leaks around tubs, showers and toilets, or water coming in at exterior doors. See bathroom remodeling.
- Door frames and thresholds where rain hits and does not drain away.
Rotted siding boards are covered on our siding repair page.
The repair
How rotted wood is repaired
- Find the extent. Rot often goes further than it looks from the outside, so the damaged area is probed and opened up.
- Remove the damaged wood back to sound material.
- Fix the water source where it is part of the job, such as gutters, flashing or sealing, or flag it if it needs other work.
- Install new wood and fasten it securely.
- Seal and protect it with caulk and primer so it is ready to paint.
Replacing the wood without dealing with the water usually means doing the repair again.
Lake and timber country
Wood rot repair around Lake Livingston
Heat, humidity and heavy rain make rot a constant risk on homes around the lake, especially on houses shaded by pines that drop needles into gutters. We repair rotted wood within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
More general home repair & carpentry services
Related services
Questions
Rotten Wood Replacement questions
How do I know if wood is rotten?
Rotted wood feels soft or spongy, a screwdriver sinks into it easily, and it may be stained, cracked or crumbling. Peeling paint that keeps returning in one spot and soft areas in floors are also common signs.
What causes fascia and soffit rot?
Most often, clogged or overflowing gutters that send water behind the gutter and into the fascia board, and from there into the soffit.
Is rotted wood the same as termite damage?
No, though both weaken wood. If you see mud tubes or hollow-sounding wood, have a licensed pest inspection before repairs, since insect damage needs to be treated as well as repaired.
How do I get an estimate for wood rot repair?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code and where the rot is. Photos help.
Get started
Found soft wood?
Tell us where the rot is and how much there appears to be. Send the form or give us a call.