Specifications

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Normally, “dry” lumber received locally contains about 17 % moisture. Local average air moisture is
about 10%. This means that a substantial amount of moisture in the lumber will escape the first year.
In wood fascia and trim, oils and moisture tend to come out at cuts, joints, and where the grain
surfaces. In pine trim, moisture generally surfaces through the grain. As this oil/moisture leaves the
wood, the paint or stain is loosened and leaves bare spots. Wood shrinking because of moisture loss
may also cause flaking or peeling. In addition, wood trim can develop minor cracks and grain may rise
as it ages and dries, especially during the first year. Raised grain can cause the paint to peel. None of
these occurrences are due to defects in materials or workmanship. Further, wind sometimes can
cause damage in a severe storm. Inspect your house after such a storm.
Before repainting exterior woodwork, nails should be reset (pounded below the surface, using a
hammer and nail setting tool) and puttied. Blistered or peeling paint should be wire-brushed or
scraped with a putty knife, sanded, and spotted with primer. Remember that exterior paint can
change color rather quickly and it may be difficult to get the perfect match. It is best to paint complete
areas. Beware of so-called bargain paints. It is much less costly to repaint regularly with quality paint
than to be faced with the expense and labor of scraping unsightly cracked and peeling paint.
Changes in temperature and humidity cause all building materials to expand and contract. Dissimilar
materials expand or contract at different rates. This movement results in separation between
materials, particularly dissimilar ones. You will see the effects in small cracks in in drywall and paint,
especially where moldings meet drywall, at mitered corners and where tile grout meets tub or sink.
While this can alarm an uninformed homeowner, it is normal.
Shrinkage of the wood members of your home is inevitable and occurs in every new home. Although
this is most noticeable during the first year, it may continue beyond that time. In most cases, caulk
and paint are all that you need to conceal this minor evidence of a natural phenomenon. Even though
properly installed, caulking shrinks and cracks. Maintenance of caulking is your responsibility.