Imagine having a family get-together on your deck when suddenly it collapses under the weight and sends grandmas, grandkids, and family pets tumbling down. If you had correctly identified the type of rot destroying the supporting wood, then you would have realized how dangerous the deck really was before the tainted gathering. After all, rot removal services cost far less than hospital bills.
Along the Central Coast, the ocean provides us with amazing views, delicious fish, and cool ocean breezes. The wind carries with it moisture, which gives the malicious fungus called “rot” a way to sneak into our homes.
Wet rot, commonly called black rot, occurs when a porous material is wet for an extended period of time. Easily mistaken for black mold, this type of rot requires a source of constant moisture, such as broken plumbing, to take hold. It gives the wood a spongy texture that severely weakens your home’s structural integrity.
Unless you are trying to emulate a shipwreck, it is crucial to fix any water leaks in your home to avoid letting this rot take root. If a material has between 50-70% moisture content, then wet rot will take hold in your home. Basements, crawlspaces, and bathrooms are frequently affected by this rot, so make sure to keep an eye on these areas in your home.
Wet rot can be seriously damaging to your home if left untreated, but cannot spread to areas unaffected by water damage. Timber affected by wet rot should be replaced to avoid potentially disastrous collapses. Consider consulting a Home Health Advisor to assess where the water damage is coming from, and how to move forward with strengthening whatever material was damaged by the rot.
Dry rot, or white rot, is the most serious type of rot that can plague your home. This fungus occurs in damp material, despite the name implying otherwise. If left untreated, dry rot will feast on whatever it can, turning your home into an all-you-can-eat buffet for the fungus.
Dry rot needs 20-30% moisture content to survive so, much like wet rot, it is crucial to fix all plumbing issues that are cursing any areas of your home. However, dry rot can take root even without any apparent plumbing issues in areas that receive a lot of natural moisture, such as outdoor wood and ground-adjacent material. Given the high moisture content of coastal wind, it is common for homes on the Central Coast to develop dry rot in exterior features.
Wood affected by dry rot is incredibly flaky and unstable and, unless removed, it will continue to spread its invasion. Once dry rot establishes enough of a fungal body, it releases more spores into the surrounding area, colonizing more substrate to devour. If you suspect you have dry rot anywhere on your property, hire a professional to accurately assess the situation.
Whether wet rot or dry rot, any type of rot is a serious issue for any home. Along the Central Coast, rot begins hostile incursions on unsuspecting homes without becoming noticed until it is too late. At R+Co., we specialize in rot identification and removal. Through cutting-edge technology and disruptive strategies, we provide thorough, professional, and – most importantly – successful strategies and services to keep your home healthy.
Don’t let any rot ruin your peace of mind; whether wet or dry, it needs to go before it puts the safety of your home at risk.
