Dry Rot

Finding and fixing dry rot can be one of the biggest headaches for any homeowner and/ or commercial building owner. Sometimes it is a nuisance and sometimes it’s a nightmare. Regardless, dry rot is always a problem. It often goes far beyond a cosmetic issue and becomes a threat to the structural integrity of your home or building. Fixing dry rot is vital to preventing bigger problems later. Before you can get to fixing the rot issue, you must first find why is their rot to begin with? What causes dry rot?

There are several ways your home’s wooden surfaces and structures can be damaged over time. dry rot, however, is primarily caused by water intrusion. If wood stays consistently damp over time (over 19% moisture content level), microscopic organisms begin to grow on and in the wood. This growth results in decay that we commonly call dry rot. While preventing all dry rot is impossible, fixing dry rot can become a large project, and it virtually unknown how far it extends until the project is well underway. Where does dry rot form?

Fixing wood rot will be easier if you can catch it early. It stands to reason, then, that you’ll catch it earlier if you know where to look. Exterior dry rot is commonly found in places where rain and snow penetrate. This is often most seen around door frames, windowsills and around gutter down spouts. Wood siding is also a common home for dry rot, especially if it hasn’t been stained or painted and otherwise maintained over the years. This includes maintaining exterior caulking around windows, siding trim, butt joints etc.

Interior wood rot can often be a bigger problem to deal with, as moisture is usually coming from a leak, poor ventilation, or another moisture intrusion problem. The issue of causation will need to be fixed before fixing the dry rot. We often see interior wood rot in bathrooms, in sink cabinets, and anywhere a home’s plumbing has failed over time. Structural dry rot can be a major issue for the safety of your home. This includes floor joists, deck supports, and roof sheathing. If you notice wood rot in these areas, you should call a home repair expert immediately to prevent further damage to your home and to keep your family safe.

Finding and fixing dry rot in the Willamette Valley If you have noticed any form/ or issues with dry rot in your home, or property, there is no better time than now to get it taken care of. Dry rot only gets worse over time, so homeowners, and property owners should call a professional ASAP to ensure that the damage is repaired, and future problems prevented.

Call us at 541-360-3923