How to deal with dry rot on wood in Sacramento

One of the biggest threats to structural lumber is rot. Both wet and dry rot love moisture and can cause serious structural damage to your Sacramento home. In this article, we will discuss how to deal with dry rot, its causes and symptoms.

What is dry rot?

Serpula lacrymans is the technical name for this fungus. It can turn sturdy beams, rafters, and logs into crumbling, dangerous structures. Despite its name, dry rot needs moisture. In fact, it needs at least 20% moisture in the wood. It needs damp, warm, and unventilated conditions, which is why it often occurs in hard-to-reach places such as roof supports, the underside of wood floors, under stairs, and behind baseboards.

Worst of all, dry rot spores move quickly and are always looking for new wood to feed on. And its not just wood - its also masonry and stucco. Within months, a building's entire structural system can be at risk, so if you see dry rot, it's important to act quickly.

What are the symptoms of dry rot?

• Frosted whitish growths with yellow and/or purple spots.
• Pancake-shaped growths with a reddish-yellow center. If you see this, know that a fungus has taken up residence and that the reddish-yellow color is millions of dry rot spores, so be careful.
• A bright and rather pungent fungal odor.
• Cracked, dry or brittle wood. Try sticking a screwdriver into it and if it sinks into the wood, it means the wood is rotting.

How do you remove dry rot?

It is a two-step process:

1. First, remove the source of the moisture. Pay particular attention to:

• Leaking water systems, gutters or pipes;
• Condensation;
• Rainwater entering through gaps in doors and windows;
• Damaged waterproofing;
• fallen shingles or cracked roof flashing; 
• Blocked ventilation.

Once you have identified the source of the moisture, you must thoroughly ventilate the room.

2. The second step is to remove the damaged wood, try to reduce the spread of spores, and spray the affected areas liberally with fungicides.

Wood, such as rafters, should be replaced. Cut ends should be treated to prevent the spread of decay.

Healthy wood adjacent to the infection should be treated with preservatives containing safe mineral boron and odorless glycol for deep penetration. Damaged plaster should be removed and replaced with fungicidal plaster. Masonry should be cleaned with a chemical fungicide and sprayed with a masonry biocide.

If you are in Sacramento or any other city in California, it is best to call the experts. At Nico Pro Construction, they are experienced and know exactly how to deal with dry rot. Call now for a consultation.