Wood Rot Destroying Your Home?
Megan Pinneo
Fungus Damage
Wood rot prevention is an important practice if you want to keep a stable structure for the years to come. Fungus damage is seen a lot more during the rainy season. As wood rot is a form of decay that is caused by moisture and fungi. It will not grow in dry wood which is why it is important to watch the moisture around your home making sure wood is not continuously damp. There are three most common types of rot you may come encounter with, them being: brown rot also knows as dry rot. Dry rot is a common to us locally as it thrives in temperatures between 65-90 degrees. White rot which is white or yellow and is almost sponge like. Lastly soft rot decomposing wood more slowly than both brown and white rot but thrive in extreme hot and cold temperatures to where other rot will not survive. With these three types of fungus no matter where you live your home or structure can at risk for damage.
Checking for Fungus Damage
Areas of your home that are more at risk are areas where moisture is more likely to occur and able to stay moist for an extended amount of time or repeatedly be exposed to wetness over time. Grab a bright flashlight and a screwdriver and here are some areas of your home you may want to have a look at to see if you are at risk or already may have fungus damage. Wondering why you need a screwdriver? A screwdriver can be used to poke the area of concern, the wood should not be soft. If the screwdriver sinks into the wood and it is not firm there is wood damage.
Don’t let your structure end up like this.
Wood Rot
Areas to check for wood damage
Windows and Exterior Doors - Check for small gaps that are not sealed properly.
Basements - Humidity and moisture are evident in basements, making perfect conditions for rot to grow unnoticed for long periods of time.
Outdoor Decks - Most decks are treated to be water resistant but over time it wears and the wood can become victim fungus damage.
Crawl Spaces - Much like basements crawlspaces can be overlooked but can most definitely can be a breeding ground for fungus going undetected.
Roofs - Taking a beating all year long between the rain and heat it is important that your roof is taken care of and not damaged with missing shingles or cracks opening your home up to leaks and moisture.
Dry Rot Repair
Once wood had been damaged by wood rot it needs to be replaced. If the damage is not severe and caught in time you can try to treat it by drying the wood and repairing any leaks. There are wood preservers on the market that you can apply after you have thoroughly dried the wood. If the damaged wood needs to be replaced or you are unsure of just how bad the damage is Black Knight Termite and Pest Control can inspect it for you. We all want sustainability when it comes to our home.