Wood rot can lead to significant damage if not caught and treated early on. If you’re a homeowner and want to be sure your property is safe from any wood rot, read on. The first step in preventing wood rot is knowing what causes it.

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Causes of Rotten Wood

Knowing what causes wood rot is the first step in preventing your wood from rotting. Multiple things can cause wood rot, but the common factor is wetness and moisture. Moisture in wood creates the ideal environment for mold, fungi, and bacteria to thrive in, leading to rot.

Because wood rot stems from moisture seeping into the wood, there are many causes of rotten wood. Some of the most common ones are:

A slow collection of rain on a window sill
Lasting water damage from a storm
Floods or leaks that haven’t been properly dried out or mitigated

How to Find Rotten Wood In Your Home

So—how can you find any rotting wood in your home? There are a couple of telltale signs to look out for.

Visually. Check for noticeable signs of water damage or mold—like cracked paint, water stains, and other questionable marks. If there is wood nearby, there is a high possibility that it is rotten. If you see any wood discoloration, cracked wood, or dark stains on wood, ceilings, or walls, it could be an indicator of wood rot.

Physically. Another way to tell if wood is rotten is by touch. Rotting wood has give and is soft to the touch, especially if it is wet rot. Dry rot is usually crumbly or brittle—in extreme cases, it may even disintegrate if you touch or prod at it.

What Is Wet Rot?

Wet rot stems from a high moisture environment that leads to rot fungus. If rot has a moisture content of above 20%, wet rot spores germinate and grow. Wet rot can happen due to roofing damage, leaking pipes, leaky gutters, buildup of condensation, or dampness permeating a surface that hasn’t been properly sealed.

Identifying Wet Rot

Wet rot is characterized by the following:

A musty, damp smell
Soft wood
Bouncing wood
Discoloration or weak wood
Visible fungus growth

It’s easiest to identify wet rot when you already know what it looks like. The internet can be a helpful tool for this. Look up images of wet rot to see if your wood’s appearance matches up with the search results. When in doubt, call a professional to verify for you.

Wet Rot Treatment

The type of treatment your wood needs depends on how severe the wet rot is. If there is a lot of it, you need to replace the entirety of the wood. For smaller sections of rot, typically, it’ll need to be dried out and then treated with a fungicide. You should always leave wet rot treatment to the professionals to ensure all the rot is taken care of and there are no extra mold spores that may lead to more rot down the road.

What Is Dry Rot?

Dry rot begins because of a moisture source but then needs no other moisture once it begins spreading and growing. The cause of dry rot is typically the same as wet rot: leaks, heavy precipitation, or an accumulation of dampness, condensation, and moisture. Dry rot tends to be more destructive than wet rot because it doesn’t always stop growing once the moisture source has been removed.

Identifying Dry Rot

Look for the following signs of dry rot when trying to determine if your wood needs treatment or replacement:

Splitting or cracked wood
Darker wood
Dry, crumbly, or disintegrating wood
Fluffy white mycelium
Greyish, white “skin”
Mushroom-like fungi that look like a pancake—soft and fleshy to the touch
Red dust from spores spreading

If you are having difficulty determining if your wood has dry rot, look up pictures online and verify that the images and your wood look similar. Call a professional if you are having trouble identifying rot.

Dry Rot Treatment

Treating dry rot has two main steps: first, a professional assessment to identify the extent of the damage. Next, eliminate the source of moisture and treat the dry rot. Sometimes, wood replacement is necessary.

Common Areas to Check for Rotting Wood

Wood rot can happen anywhere there is wood, but there are a few areas that are more prone to it.

Wooden Window Frames: Water easily accumulates and pools up on your window sills, especially in wet climates. Wooden window frames in bathrooms are prone to wood rot because of the high moisture content in bathrooms from showers and baths

Exterior Doors: Exterior doors experience normal wear and tear over time, especially because they are exposed to the elements.

Underneath Sinks or Toilets: These parts of bathrooms are almost always dark and prone to moisture because of leaks, so mold and rot are very likely to grow here.

Decks: Similar to exterior doors, decks are always exposed to weather like snow, rain, and sun. If you live in a high-precipitation climate, your deck is more likely to experience wood rot—especially if it hasn’t been properly sealed against the elements.

Roofs: Roofs take the brunt of force from all weather conditions. Roofs are usually treated and sealed to prevent any rot, but if your roof is older, the sealant could have worn off, possibly leading to wood rot.

7 Ways to Prevent Wood Rot

Preventing wood rot can take many forms.

Caulk any open spots you see around your home, like cracks or holes around windows, dryer vents, or doors.
Schedule a roof inspection to ensure there is no risk of leaks or the existence of leaks.
Reinforce and maintain your gutters. If gutters aren’t properly maintained, they can lead to leaks.
Trim any vegetation that is getting too close to the siding and roofing of your home. Rogue branches and brambles can rub against your house, causing friction and potentially damaging your property. This then leads to leaks and rot.
Scrape away any peeling paint, add primer, and then paint over the area to reseal the surface.
Clear out any leaves or debris blocking crawl spaces.
Clean in between decking boards. Use a screwdriver or an awl to get rid of gunk and organic debris that gets trapped within the deck as it can trap moisture and lead to rot.

Have Rot or Mold? Cleanup & Total Restoration Can Help

If you notice signs of wood rot, mold, or water damage, call Cleanup & Total Restoration. We are dedicated to helping restore your property to its former glory and getting rid of any mold or rot you see. We offer the following services to help you mitigate any mold or wood rot:

Causes of Rotten Wood

How to Find Rotten Wood In Your Home