Hidden Damage - Wood Next to Concrete

Wood siding all the way to the concrete patio. Missing a gap or flashing to prevent water penetration. This is a suspicious area for hidden damage. You can see some early rot in the siding on the left.

Do you have wall siding that is in contact with concrete? This is a common site of water penetration and long term can lead to hidden damage in the wall framing. There needs to be a gap between wall siding and any contact with concrete or earth to allow water to drain. If this isn't possible, flashing needs to be installed to help with water shedding. 

Siding that was in contact with the concrete patio has been removed to inspect the wall structure. First glance doesn't look too good. Many areas of rotting framing.

These pictures show a wall where the siding that was in contact with the concrete patio has been removed for further investigation. The siding showed signs of rot and the wall framing behind looks to have been in contact with water for awhile. The sill plate and rim joist (important framing pieces) are rotted out from the long term presence of water. This homeowner will need to consider some extensive repairs. The sill plate and rim joist need to be cut out and replaced with sound wood. 

Probing for rotting and pinky wood. Looks like water has been getting here for awhile.

Rotting and damage sill plate. This the piece of wood that forms the base of the wall above.

More rot in the sill plate. Those holes go back about halfway through the width of the board.

Area of rot in both the sill plate and the rim joist. Both of these pieces of wood are important for structural stability of the wall. They need to be replaced.