Sometimes a little extra scrutiny and a moisture meter go further than people think.
That’s spot on. I’ve salvaged old framing members that looked rough but tested solid with a moisture meter—ended up being stronger than the new SPF stuff. I’m curious, though: when you’re deciding whether to patch or replace, do you have a specific threshold for moisture or visible damage? I sometimes go by smell too… if it’s musty, I get suspicious, but it’s not always a dealbreaker.
I totally get what you mean about the musty smell—sometimes it’s just old wood, sometimes it’s a red flag. I usually go by feel and look first, then check with the meter. If it’s under 15% moisture and there’s no punky spots, I’ll patch rather than replace. But if my screwdriver sinks in anywhere, that’s my cutoff. Funny how some of that old lumber is tougher than anything you can buy new these days...
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
That’s a fair point about old lumber—sometimes I’m amazed at the density and quality compared to modern stock. Still, I’m a bit wary of patching too aggressively. I’ve seen projects where a few “solid enough” boards ended up hiding deeper issues, especially with older framing. I’ll usually probe a little further, maybe even pull a board or two if there’s any doubt. Maybe it’s overkill, but in the long run, hidden rot can turn into a much bigger expense than just swapping out questionable sections upfront. Guess it’s a balancing act between being thrifty and not cutting corners...
TRIMMING DOWN EXPENSES ON PROJECT SUPPLIES
I hear you on the hidden rot—ran into that exact issue a couple years back when I was redoing a porch. Looked like just a few soft spots, but once I started pulling boards, half the joists were basically mulch underneath. Ended up costing more in time and money than if I’d just replaced the questionable stuff right away. Still, I get tempted to save a few bucks by patching when the budget’s tight.
One thing I’ve tried is using a moisture meter before making the call. Sometimes what looks sketchy is actually still solid, just stained or weathered. Not foolproof, but it’s saved me from tossing good wood more than once. Curious if anyone else relies on tools like that, or do you mostly go by feel and visual inspection? I always wonder if I’m overthinking it or if it’s just part of getting older houses to cooperate...
One thing I’ve tried is using a moisture meter before making the call. Sometimes what looks sketchy is actually still solid, just stained or weathered.
That’s such a smart move. I’ve definitely tossed wood that just needed a good sanding and some stain—kicked myself later when I saw the price of new boards. Honestly, I think trusting your gut and using tools like the moisture meter is the sweet spot. Old houses are stubborn, but sometimes they surprise you with what’s still got life left in it. Don’t feel like you’re overthinking it; being thorough now saves headaches down the line.
