[kikkoman]

This Labor Day weekend I decided to get around to finishing some outdoor projects. There was some worn out trim above my garage door that needed replacing. Once I got up there on my ladder I was suprised I was able to remove most of the wood by hand. I was completely rotten through. After removing most the trim it appeard the water had gotten back into the OSB. I could literally peel it off. It gets worse. There is a 2x4 and a 12" beam that appears to been compromised as well. I could pull chucks of it out with my hand. I'm somewhat handy but this looks to big a job for me to attempt. Who should I call to fix this and will my homeowners insurance cover it? Due to the extent of the water penetration I'm guessing it's been happening for sometime.

[Cold Warrior]

It depends on your insurance policy. Review it carefully. If the insurer traces it back to some type of flooding or flood-related, they may not cover it. This could also include flooding due to windstorms like hurricanes or tropical storms. Without that kind of coverage (flood & windstorm), you may be SOL. However, if it has just rotted due to water accumulation over time as a result of a defective roof, hole, or standing water in a low spot, the insurance company may be more accommodating.

Again, it depends on your specific policies.