Water leaks can cause the wood in your attic to rot.
An odor of rotten wood that emanates from your ceiling most likely comes from moisture in your attic space. Attics are notorious for moisture leaks, due to the presence of plumbing vents, cable entrances and roof damage. Moisture that seeps into your attic can cause the roof to rot, as well as damage your insulation and ceiling materials. Common water entrances include poor seals around pipes, bent vent hoods, and damaged or missing covers. Prompt investigation and repair can help protect your home from additional damage.
Instructions
1. Climb up into your attic space to investigate the source of the rotted wood smell. Look above the area of the odor for obvious sources of rotting, such as damp insulation and wet or blackened wood. Remove any damp insulation and check the area around and beneath it for signs of water damage. Wait to treat any damaged wood or replace your insulation until after you correct the water leak.
2. Determine the source of the leak by examining the area along the underside of your roof for signs of water trails that run along the rafters or down the sides of pipes. Trace these water trails back to the source of the leak. Turn off the light to help expose any small openings that allow daylight to shine through to the attic.
3. Go up on your roof to repair the source of the leak as soon as you determine where the water is entering your attic. Remove and replace any damaged plumbing vent hoods or attic vent covers. Attach these to exposed roof fixtures according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Scrape away old, cracked caulking from around a leaky plumbing vent or chimney pipe. Replace the failed seal with an application of silicone sealant. Apply a liberal amount of the sealant and press it into the cracks with your fingertips. Allow adequate time for the seal to set and dry.
5. Check the seal by running a thin stream of water around the outside of the pipe. Check the inside of your attic again to make sure the silicone acts as a waterproof barrier. Apply additional silicone caulking around the opening, if necessary.
6. Test the integrity of the affected wood by scraping it with the tip of a screwdriver. If the wood crumbles or feels softer than the rest of the wood in your attic, contact a licensed home inspector to come check the damage and make recommendations for necessary repairs. If the wood looks and feels structurally sound, treat it with a mold and mildew remover labeled for use on wood.
Tags: your attic, source leak, , attic vent, attic vent covers