What is Dry Rot?
Dry rot, or brown rot, is actually a fungal infection that damages wood and causes decay. Fungi are microorganisms that eat organic matter and absorb moisture to survive. Wood, which is an organic material, is perfect for many fungal species. Dry rot eats away at the wood, weakening its overall structure as the infection spreads to more and more of the surrounding wood.
How to Identify Wood Rot in your Crawl Space
One of the more concerning things about wood rot is the inability to easily identify the problem before it causes major damage. In the beginning, dry rot starts as tiny spores. These spores are invisible to the eye, but if enough gather in one spot, they can look like red, yellow, or brown dust.
Given the right conditions, mainly moisture and humidity, the spores mature and leave dry, crumbling wood behind. It was thought that dry rot didn’t need water to survive, hence the name, although that is not true, dry rot does need less water than other fungi to thrive.
How to Identify Wood Rot in your Home
When the wood in your crawl space is decaying, you’ll notice signs of damage upstairs as well. Unfortunately, these are all signs of structural failure and should be addressed by the experts at BQ Basements and Concrete as soon as possible.
Uneven, Bouncy or Sagging Floors
Spongey, bouncy or sagging floors are a major sign of crawl space problems. When a section of floor doesn’t feel solid beneath your feet, it’s an indication of wood decay. Floors that sag or slope towards the middle of the room are common problem signs for floors lacking in support, this could be because dry rot has stolen its strength.
Gaps Between Floor and Wall
Similar to sagging floors, when a homeowner notices a gap between the wall and the floor it’s an indication that your floor supports are failing to carry the load of your home. We recommend checking the crawl space for signs of damage right away.
Wall Cracks
When the beams that support the weight of your home begin to fall, the home sinks or sags unevenly, this puts pressure on the walls causing cracks. It’s common for cracks to appear above doors or windows. When these signs are noticed contact BQ Basements & Concrete for an estimate.
How To Fix Dry Rot in PA, NJ & DE
Dry rot is a serious problem that can lead to devastating damage if not addressed quickly. The experts at BQ Basements & Concrete will help you eliminate dry rot by sealing out the source of the problem. Moisture. We will eliminate water in your crawl space by installing drainage and a sump pump and seal out outside humidity by installing a vapor barrier on the walls and floor. This solution will not only eliminate wood rot but also protect against mold, mildew, and pests.
BQ Basements and Concrete offers a free no-obligation inspection. With more than 20 years of experience in the Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey & Delaware area, BQ Basements & Concrete understands the unique climate conditions and offers custom products and highly trained installation teams. We’ll answer all your questions and provide peace of mind for years to come.
We offer a wide range of crawl space services to parts Greater Philadelphia area, Camden, Trenton, Cape May, Atlantic City, Wilmington, Dover and the surrounding area.
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