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Tag Archives: Dry Rot

dry rot termite damage

How To Replace Dry Rot Wood

Sometimes, especially if you live in a rainy or humid area, dry rot is impossible to fully prevent. When dry rot does strike, however, it is important that you fix the problem as soon as possible to prevent costly repairs in the future. There are two ways to fix the problem: you can either repair or replace the affected wood. Replacing is usually the best option, however, as the wood may have damage that you can’t see. Not sure how to replace the wood? Here are 5 steps for replacing wood affected by dry rot.

Remove All Affected and Nearby Wood

The first step is to, of course, remove all the affected the wood. Since dry rot is a fungus, however, and it travels through airborne spores, it is important to remove all wood within a radius of about three feet as well. This will help prevent future issues, and it will make sure that you have nipped the entire infestation.

Remove Exteriors like Plaster or Paneling

Like mentioned in the step above, dry rot travels through the air through spores. This means it can end up in places – like behind plaster, paneling, or the ceiling – without you knowing. This is why it is important to strip all exterior surfaces so you can fully examine all the wood in the area. It takes just one piece of wood with dry rot to affect all the wood nearby, so you have to be through.

Clean

After everything is stripped bare, and all the affected wood has been removed, it is important to use a strong cleaning solution to wipe down all remaining pipes and other metal fixtures. While these structures themselves can’t grow the mold, they can still hold the spores. You should clean all structures within a five-foot radius from where the wood was.

Prevent Future Problems

After everything is cleaned, you should begin taking the steps to prevent dry rot from becoming a problem again. Spray a fungicide everywhere, but especially around the previously affected area.

Replace

After everything else is done, you can begin to work on replacing the wood you removed. While doing this, you should be sure to use a preservative treated wood to help prevent any reinfections. When plastering or painting the wood, also make sure that you are using a zinc oxychloride based product.

Final Thoughts

DIY replacement and repair of dry-rotted wood can be a tedious task at best. If you find that your home or business is suffering from dry rot and you’re not ready to take the task on yourself, be sure to call our local Santa Rosa team here at Restoration Certified Specialists!

dry rot termite damage

How To Check For Dry Rot

Dry rot, also known as a homeowner’s worst nightmare, is a type of fungus, like mold and mushrooms, that can cause wood to decay rapidly. As dry rot grows, it will eventually spread, and it can cause structural damage to your home. This is why it is so important to catch dry rot earlier so that you can properly treat it before costly damage is done. Not sure where or how to look for dry rot? Here are 4 steps for checking your home for dry rot.

If You’ve Already Found Fungi, Look Closely

If you’re already found fungi growing on the wood in your home, it is important to look closely to identify it as dry rot. Unlike other fungi, such as wet rot, dry rot will have a yellowish tint to when exposed to sunlight. Dry rot is also usually flat but can have fruiting bodies that stick off of the wood.

Examine the Wood Closely

Wood affected by dry rot will be an unnatural hue of brown and have a dried out, crumbling appearance. This is because dry rot, as a living creature, is feeding off of the wood. It drains the wood of the nutrients it needs to keep its structure. Dry rot will also leave cracks along the wood where you can find evidence of the fungus growing.

Take a Sniff

Dry rot has a very distinct smell that you can’t miss. If you smell a damp, musty smell around your home that smells like wood decaying, then there is a good chance that you have a dry rot problem somewhere in your home. Dry rot is commonly found in dark, damp locations like basements, attics, and interior structures due to the fact that, like all fungi, dry rot grows best in these conditions.

Hire a Professional

If you’re having trouble identifying if the fungus is dry rot, or you realize it is dry rot, it can be extremely helpful to hire a professional to diagnose the problem and begin work to remove it. The faster you remove dry rot from your home and repair the damages, the less costly repairs you’ll have to make down the road. A professional will be able to identify your fungi problem, set up a plan that caters to your home’s specific needs as well as your budget, and fix the problem.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with any type of mold or fungus in your home is never something we want to deal with. If you see or suspect water damage or mold, be sure to give us a call  here at Restoration Certified Services. Our experts will review your home or place of business and ensure you and your family are safe.