If you have trim pieces in your home that appear to have a small amount of rot or mold, you may believe that painting them over is a simple and quick fix. While this may address the visible features of the problem, it will not address the underlying difficulties and may even exacerbate them. Generally, “out of sight, out of mind” is not the ideal strategy for preventing structural damage to your property.
To illustrate the importance of why this information is needed, this article lays out some reasons why painting over only one spot would be inadequate. Some materials that can be found on the Internet assert that ignoring the true causes of wood deterioration is fine, but the truth is that failing to address the real causes can have disastrous repercussions. You can figure out what you’re dealing with and handle the real problem by addressing concerns and finding solutions instead of merely covering them up.
Termites
If you see any cracked or broken wood, such as fences or gates, on or around your house, you should assume termites are present. Termites can wreak havoc on your home’s structural integrity by eating and damaging the wood. You must locate the termite colony’s epicenter and get rid of it because else they will spread and do damage to your home’s foundation, walls, or subfloors.
It’s not simply impractical to paint over termite damage, it can also lead to legal issues in some circumstances. A home inspector will be able to discern that you have disguised the damage by putting paint on the walls if you intend to sell your home in the future. This could prevent the home from being sold until the damage is repaired, which would be costly.
Moisture
A new coat of paint will not be able to cure wood rot that is caused by moisture. Wood swells and deteriorates when water seeps into it. It is quite obvious that merely painting over the problem will not remedy it. It will just add to it. The wet and damaged wood will not allow the paint to attach to it, therefore you will not be able to achieve a good-looking result.
While paint may offer protection from rainy weather, it won’t be able to stop water damage if the moisture has already gotten into the house. Moisture rot in your home’s wood is almost certain to be a sign of a leak in your home. To paint an area, you must first repair the leak and prevent further wood decay in the future.
Mold
If moisture is allowed to accumulate in one location for an extended period of time, it can eventually turn into mold. Mold can have major health repercussions if not properly addressed and eradicated. Mold-infested homes can cause lung discomfort, allergies, and a variety of other health problems, which is why painting over mold should never be done. All that painting over mold does is stir the spores, which then spread throughout the house.
After explaining why it is never a good idea to paint over rotten or damaged wood, here is another useful piece of advice. Contact a painting specialist, such as Apex Painting, who can accurately examine the damaged area and make recommendations for repair. Apex Painting’s service personnel are qualified to recognize the causes of damaged wood and are knowledgeable in the most effective methods of repair. We can support and guide you throughout the process, ensuring that you and your home remain safe and secure for many years.