While it might seem like there are a lot of dry rot causes, they can all be boiled down to one word – water.  When wood sits in water or is exposed to a lot of moisture, it can be a haven for fungus to grow and spread.  As this fungus takes over, it creates weak spots in the wood, which cause the wood to crumble and appear rotted. 

The problem with water is that it’s everywhere.  To help reduce its effects on your wood, you need to seal your wood away from it.  Dry rot causes wood weakness, so sealing your wood ahead of time will help you prevent any crumbling or problems with stability.  You can also choose wood that’s pretreated with chemicals or made water resistant.  Talk with your builder or with a contractor to see what kinds of stains or woods they might recommend.

Another problem is that dry rot causes damage, but that damage can then cause more dry rot.  When a piece of wood cracks and breaks, it exposes the wood to water and damage, which leads to a higher probability of more fungus spread.  Be sure to look over your wood pieces and structures from time to time to spot early cracks and fix them before they become filled with water.  In most cases, early detection can help you prevent bigger problems.

ATC Construction, Inc's Dry Rot Solution

Depending on the severity of the damage, solutions may vary, however it is always recommended to completely remove and replace the damaged wood.

In certain situations, complete removal may not be possible or cost effective.  For example, you may have a structural beam running through the house , but only a small portion of the the beam is damaged, but still structurally sound. In that case, ATC will dig out all the dry rotted wood and treat using Bora Care, then fill with a Wood Based Epoxy or Bondo.

ATC will come to your home and inspect the damage and recommend accordingly.  Prior to leaving the inspected home, a full estimate will be provided to you outlining the solution to replace the dry rotted wood.