Number One Cause of Destructive Dry Rot

A general contractor based in Overland Park, Kansas, Chris Childers is the president of Allstate Renovations Inc., the company he founded in February 2004. Through Allstate Renovations, Chris Childers does multifamily housing renovations and repair work, fixing issues such as dry rot.

Dry rot is a form of wood decay caused by fungi. It can affect any building regardless of age. It occurs when wood is exposed to moisture giving it a moisture content of above 20 percent. This, coupled with the availability of oxygen and warm temperatures, form an ideal habitat for destructive fungi that are airborne. Once the spores land on the damp wood, they germinate and grow quickly, covering swaths of timber with a substance that looks like cotton wool. The rot leaves timber brittle, and if left untreated it can compromise a building’s structural integrity.

Timber becomes damp because of condensation, faulty roof tiles that let in rainwater, leaking pipes, leaking washing machines, and flooding. Therefore, the first step in treating a building with dry rot is to identify the source of dampness and correct it. This can involve fixing leaking pipes, installing new roof tiles, or putting up better ventilation systems. This prevents future dry rot.

To correct existing dry rot, a contractor will remove all infected wood including paneling and flooring and replace it with fungicide treated wood. The contractor will also treat structural timber to protect it from infestation.