The Northwest’s climate is cause for home and commercial building owners to pay particular attention to signs that water penetration has begun. In this first installment of a two-part series, we begin with the following 3 key signs that trouble is at hand:
Gapping or cracking of sealants and coatings.
Sealant joints are one of the first areas to breakdown on - buildings. Sealants work well in conjunction with siding and other materials, yet when asked to take the place of those products, they will fail virtually every time. Cracking, bubbling, or flaking of paint (read more) can be a sign of movement in the underlying material. Paint is designed to have some flexibility, yet when water caused building components to “swell” in the winter and then dry out in the hot summer, paint can be stretched beyond its designed capacity. Paint failures are frequently a sign of other issues within a building. Deck coatings, stucco finishes, and other waterproofing material shares signs similar to paints and sealants. Cracking and bubbling can be a sign of unwanted water intrusion.
Rusting metals, flashings or fasteners.
When water seeps behind the surface of the structure it can affect many different metallic components of the building. These may include flashings that are intended to direct small amounts of water away from the building, fasteners holding the structure together, or even crucial components that are critical to the building. Prolonged exposure to water can also lead to rusting. Common areas to look for rust (read more) would be at flashings on roofs, at the base of walls, around siding penetrations, or on decks Rust may be evident as it seeps out of the building or shows on the surface of other materials. Rust usually starts as a warning sign of other issues, but quickly becomes its own problem.
With siding, symptoms include protruding fasteners or dripping rust from behind the siding itself. Fasteners in roofing can pop through the roof shingle, tearing the surface and allowing even more water to bypass the protection of the roofing material. Deck fasteners may also show signs through the surface coating which is often a result of rust that causes the fasteners to expand and become visible (and eventually pop through the coating). As a rule, decks should never hold standing water. Puddles may not be a sign of immediate damage, yet will likely lead to a reduced lifespan and possibly bigger problems down the road.
Crushing, bowing or shrinking.
Minor settlement of a building should not be visible from the outside. If walls, columns, or other components are showing signs of settling, this often signifies substantial decay within the structure. If stucco joints are compressed or if the finish is bulging outward, it can be a sign of substantial decay or other structural problems. This happens when rotten wood shrinks during the hot summer months (more than structurally sound wood). This may create gaps that allow more water in the next winter and accelerate further decay.
Our unique Pacific Northwest weather can quickly take a toll if issues are not identified and corrected. Having performed millions of dollars’ worth of repairs, remediation and renovation, and new construction, Charter Construction has a compelling and positive record in helping homeowners maintain and repair structures to limit or correct the unique stresses created by our climate. If you have any questions regarding the integrity of your home or building, please call us.
As ever, our Team is available to inspect ant area of concern and, if needed, to repair the damage. Call 206-382-1900 in Seattle or 503-546-2600 in Portland.
