Dry rot is a type of wood decay caused by a fungus called Serpula Lacrymans that breaks down the cell walls of the wood and makes it brittle and weak. It can affect any wood that is exposed to excess moisture and air. Wood rot can spread through masonry and other materials in search of more wood to consume, and can cause severe structural damage to any structure. Call the dry rot experts at GotRot and let us fix this problem for you.
Can a Home be Saved From Dry Rot?
Any property in Seattle can be saved from dry rot if it is detected early and treated properly. The treatment involves removing the affected wood and replacing it with new wood, applying fungicides to kill the fungus and prevent its recurrence, and fixing the source of moisture that caused the dry rot in the first place. However, if the dry rot has spread extensively and compromised the integrity of your home, you may need to hire Got Rot’s LLC dry rot experts to repair the damage.
How Do You Fix Dry Rot Damage Under the Home?
To fix wood rot under any property, you need to do the following steps:
- Identify the source of moisture that caused the dry rot and fix it. This could be a water leak, poor ventilation, or high humidity.
- Remove the affected wood and replace it with new wood that is treated with preservatives or pressure-treated.
- Apply a fungicide to the remaining wood and the surrounding area to kill any remaining fungus and prevent it from spreading.
- Fill in any gaps or cracks in the wood with an epoxy bonding agent to restore its strength and prevent moisture from seeping in.
- Sand the epoxy so it is flush with the rest of the wood and paint over it if desired.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be able to do this yourself or you may need to hire a professional contractor to do it for you. Either way, you should act quickly to prevent further damage to your home. As soon as you spot a patch of dry rot, call the remediation experts from GotRot. Let us fix the problem for you before it gets out of control.
Does Dry Rot Need to be Fixed?
The dry rot needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Dry rot in Seattle can cause serious structural damage to your home, as it weakens and destroys the wood that supports your floors, walls, and roof. Dry rot can also spread to other parts of your property through masonry and other materials, affecting more wood. Dry rot can also pose health risks to you and your family, as it can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and infections from the fungus spores. Therefore, you should not ignore dry rot and fix it promptly to protect your home and health.
Common Signs of Dry Rot
Some common signs of dry rot are:
- Damaged or decaying timber that looks shrunken, dry, and cracked.
- A musty or wet odor that comes from the wood decay.
- Brittle wood or wood that crumbles when handled.
- Patches of orange-brown spore dust that indicate the presence of fungal spores.
- White or gray cotton-like growths called mycelium that spread over the wood and other materials.
- Gray strands on the wood that are part of the fungal roots.
- Mushroom-like fruiting bodies called sporophores that produce more spores.
If you notice any of these signs of dry rot in your home in Seattle, you should act quickly to request professional dry rot repair from GotRot and prevent further damage.
Why Is Repairing Dry Rot Early on so Critical?
Repairing dry rot early on is so critical because dry rot can cause serious damage to your home and your health if left untreated. Dry rot can weaken and destroy the wood that supports your floors, walls, and roof, compromising the structural integrity of your house. Dry rot can also spread to other parts of your home through masonry and other materials, affecting more wood and increasing the repair costs. Dry rot can also pose health risks to you and your family, as it can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and infections from the fungus spores. Therefore, you should not ignore dry rot and fix it promptly to protect your home and the health of your loved ones.
What Causes Dry Rot?
The fungus that causes dry rot breaks down the cell walls of the wood and makes it brittle and weak. The fungus needs moisture and air to grow and spread, so dry rot occurs when the wood is exposed to excess humidity and air. This could be due to:
- Using non-kiln dried timber that has a high moisture content.
- Having a damp problem in your home, such as a water leak, poor ventilation, or high humidity.
- Having the wood in direct sunlight or exposed to corrosive or abrasive chemicals that degrade the rubber material.
Dry rot can spread through masonry and other materials in search of more wood to consume, causing more damage to your property. Therefore, you should prevent dry rot by keeping your wood dry and well-ventilated and treating it with preservatives or pressure-treated.
How Can GotRot Help You?
At GotRot, our professional dry rot technicians can help you with dry rot in several ways:
- We can identify the extent and severity of the dry rot infection and determine the best treatment plan for your situation.
- We can remove the affected wood and replace it with new wood that is treated with preservatives or pressure-treated.
- We can apply a fungicide to the remaining wood and the surrounding area to kill any remaining spores and prevent them from spreading.
- We can fix the source of moisture that caused the dry rot in the first place, such as a water leak, poor ventilation, or high humidity.
- We can fill in any gaps or cracks in the wood with an epoxy bonding agent to restore its strength and prevent moisture from seeping in.
- We can sand the epoxy so it is flush with the rest of the wood and paint over it if desired.
Hiring an expert from GotRot in Seattle can save you time, money, and hassle in dealing with dry rot, as we have the expertise, tools, and materials to do the job properly and safely. Schedule a visit to your home today.