When a new building is being created, it first has to be framed. Most of the time, framing lumber is used. You may worry that the frame will become damaged or that you won’t be able to keep any warranties on the wood used.
The truth is that you may still retain the warranties and be able to live in a safe home. The best news about wood is that it has been exposed to water before and likely had no ill effects. It does take a long time for lumber to decay from water, so a few rain showers during the construction of your home isn’t a big deal.
When is water on lumber dangerous to the construction of a building?
What is more serious is if the water continues to impact the wood for many months or years. When combined with oxygen, it’s possible to develop wood rot. The wood must have a moisture content of around 20 percent before this will happen. The process is slow, fortunately, so if you begin to see fungi, there is still a chance to save the structure by having it treated.
It’s more common to see mold develop when moisture and oxygen combine. There are likely thousands of mold spores in a construction site, so it’s not uncommon, either.
How can builders reduce the risk of damage to wet lumber?
The best option is to get it dry as soon as possible. If the lumber is exposed to rain, then covering it and keeping the surrounding areas free of debris help with the drying process. It’s necessary to dry out the wood as soon as possible.
What happens if wet wood has rotted due to leaks or plumbing issues?
In that case, it’s important to look into the wood’s warranty along with the construction of the home to see if errors were made leading up to the rot. For example, if a plumber installed a new water line but did not seal it off well, then that plumber may be liable for the damage to your home.
Similarly, if the contractors did not treat the wood and had seen fungi or rot developing, it would be a cause for seeking compensation or repairs at no expense to yourself.
Construction defects are a serious strain on a home, but with good repairs, it’s possible to get the home in livable condition quickly.
