Basement & Crawl Space Dry Rot Repairs

Dry rot, sometimes called brown rot, is actually an overgrowth of fungi that decays the structural wood inside or outside of your home. Dry rot breaks down the wood, eating away at the cellulose and hemicellulose that give wood its strength.

Whether your home is new or old, dry rot can be an issue, especially if you live in a region where it rains often and humidity is high.

Contrary to its name, dry rot occurs in wood that is damp, usually with 20% or higher moisture. Dry rot can spread to other moist areas through the fungi spores, even spreading through brick and concrete.

In many parts of the country, it’s no surprise that many homes have structural damage due to dry rot. Humid climates, flooded basements, flooded crawl spaces, and the general toll of years of wear all contribute to dry rot and other damage in your basement or crawl space.

Some of the telltale signs of dry rot in basements and crawl spaces include…

• Fungus that looks like cotton or wool
• Fungus that is flat and silver or gray
• Sunken or shrunken wood
• Wood that is darker than normal
• Cracks in the wood

Your home doesn’t have to fall prey to this serious condition. Eliminate dry rot conditions at the source, keeping your home well maintained to protect its structural integrity for years to come.

The best way to prevent dry rot in your basement or crawl space is to keep moisture out. But do you know how to get rid of moisture under your house?

Get to the root of the problem and seal your basement or crawl space from moisture. Not only will you prevent dry rot but you may also prevent other damage from pests. Professionals will often encapsulate crawl spaces to seal them from moisture.

There are some things you can do yourself to prevent dry rot, but hiring a professional will make sure you are covered. Because most insurance companies do not cover damage from dry rot (unless caused by a storm or flood), you will want to protect your home from damage.