Q: There is obviously something wrong with
the wood around my porch, which my neighbor says is dryrot. What is
that?
A: Dryrot is a generic term for a variety of wood fungi, which
cause mildew, mold, staining and decaying in wood. In order for dryrot
to develop, it requires a certain combination of moisture and heat and
air. If the conditions are right, it can occur before you can visually
detect it, within four to six months.
The reason that it becomes a problem is that infected wood loses its
structural integrity. Once detected, this damaged wood must be totally
replaced, or the fungi, which are living organisms, will continue to
spread and cause more damage. Dryrot can also attract pests such as
termites, which will only compound the problem. Repairing dryrot cannot
be postponed, because the damage will only increase, as will the cost of
repair.
Q: Where is dryrot most likely to develop?
A: Dryrot can be found both inside and outside your home. The
most common areas inside are the bathroom, under kitchen sinks, in
window sills around sweating windows, in thresholds near sliding glass
doors, in the attic from a leaky roof and in the walls, particularly in
homes which have a concrete slab foundation.
Outside, dryrot can occur in wood siding, eaves of the roof, decks
and other wooden landscape structures and around the windows.
Q: Is there anything I can do to prevent dryrot?
A: In the bathroom: Shower doors should be caulked and sealed
properly to prevent leaking. Plumbing fixtures should also be caulked.
Replace cracked or broken tiles or missing grout in the shower and bath
areas. Look for signs of leaking or water staining around the base of
the toilet. Check the baseboard or moldings for signs of mildew. Also
keep an eye on walls which adjoin the bathroom – mildew can grow on a
closet wall adjacent to the bathroom, for example.
Throughout the house: Check for moisture under any of the sinks.
Inspect the attic for roof leaks and moisture from improperly vented
dryers or exhaust fans. If you have a slab foundation, check walls
behind the furniture for mildew. If you have a raised foundation, check
under the house for excessive moisture. Periodically, run a test by
turning on the water in the shower and/or tub and look under the house
for leaks.
Outdoors: Check the placement of your sprinkler heads to make
sure there is no direct spray hitting your house. Make sure shrubs and
plants growing next to the house don't touch the siding because they can
hold moisture. Check around hose bibs to detect leaks. Check the roof
eaves; the wood will be soft or may show a white powdery residue. It may
be caused by improperly installed roof flashing, a roof leak, or you may
need gutters. Around decks, look for earth-to wood contact next to posts
or any wood members and under potted plants. It's a good idea to treat
decks with a wood preservative.
Q: What do I do if I discover dryrot?
A: Call a licensed general contractor who specializes in dryrot
repair or a pest control company to assess the damage and recommend
solutions. A licensed pest control operator should do the initial
inspection, then get three competitive bids from licensed general
contractors to do the repairs. Make sure that the person you hire is
properly licensed and has experience in working with dryrot.
