Rot or something else? Send us a photo.
Take 2 or 3 pictures, send them below, and we call or text you within 15 minutes, between 7am and 7pm. No charge, no obligation.
Book Free 20-Point InspectionPrefer to text? Send the photos to 778-654-2255. Our phone is answered right away.
Which photos help most
- One close-up of the worst spot, in daylight, without flash.
- One from a few steps back, so we see where it sits on the house.
- Optional: a screwdriver pressed into the wood. If it sinks in, that is a strong sign of rot.
How to tell rot from look-alikes
Wood rot is fungal decay that needs wood, oxygen and steady moisture. A few other things look similar from a distance, and a few signs only rot has.
Signs of rot
- Wood that is soft or spongy, or a screwdriver that sinks in easily.
- Cracks that run across the grain in small cubes.
- Dark, bleached or crumbling wood, often at joints, corners and where wood meets another material.
- A musty smell, or fungus growing on the surface.
Common look-alikes
- Peeling or bubbling paint: often just paint failure, but it can also mean moisture is behind it. Press the wood to find out.
- Silver-grey cedar: normal sun weathering. The wood is hard underneath.
- Cracks along the grain: usually normal drying, not decay.
- Green or black film: surface algae or mildew that wipes off. The wood below may be sound, though it shows the spot stays wet.
- Dark streaks under nails: usually rust or tannin staining, not rot.
- Small round holes: insects. They often move into wood that is already damp.
What happens after you send photos
We look at your photos and call or text you within 15 minutes. If it looks like rot, the next step is a free 20-point inspection with a moisture meter, and a written quote about 15 minutes after we finish. Every repair has a 2-year craftsmanship guarantee, and we are insured to $2,000,000. If it is not rot, we say so.
Read the full guide: is it wood rot? · What wood rot repair costs · Book the free inspection
Questions about sending photos
Can you tell if it is wood rot from a photo?
Often we can tell what it is not, and sometimes what it probably is. A photo shows color, cracking and paint failure. It cannot show how soft the wood is or how far the moisture has spread. For that we press the wood and take a moisture-meter reading on site, which is part of the free 20-point inspection.
Is sending photos free?
Yes. There is no charge and no obligation. We look at your photos and call or text you within 15 minutes, between 7am and 7pm.
Will you give me a price from a photo?
We can often tell you whether it looks like a small repair or a bigger job, and point to our typical price ranges. An exact price comes in writing about 15 minutes after the free on-site inspection, because hidden rot is only found once the wood is checked.
What if my photos show something that is not rot?
We tell you so, and you owe us nothing. Peeling paint, silvered cedar and surface mildew are common look-alikes. If it is not rot, we say what we think it is.
Can I text the photos instead?
Yes. Text them to 778-654-2255 with your name and address. Our phone is answered right away.