Dry rot occurs in moist conditions and poses a serious risk to your health and the safety of your property. Rotting timber may lead to structural damage and the spread of mould and mildew. While it is often difficult to detect, you can take certain steps to protect your residential or commercial property from suffering dry rot in the first place.
Keep Moisture Out of Your Property
The best way to keep dry rot from damaging your property is to prevent it from occurring. Despite the name, dry rot is a fungus commonly caused by the presence of moisture and high humidity levels. Maintaining low humidity levels and preventing leaks helps reduce the risk of dry rot.
The most common reasons for excess moisture in a house or building include roof leaks and plumbing issues. Inspect your property for signs of a leaky roof. If you notice spotting or water damage on a ceiling, you may require roof repairs to prevent further leaks.
To detect plumbing issues, inspect visible pipes for moisture or leaks and pay attention to your water bill. If you notice an increase in your average water usage, you may have a plumbing leak. Fixing these issues will help keep the moisture out.
You can also choose to install a dehumidifier. Removing excess moisture from the air lowers the humidity levels and may prevent dry rot.
Look for Signs of Dry Rot on Wood
Besides taking preventive measures to protect against dry rot, you should regularly check for signs of fungus. Early detection can limit the potential damage of dry rot and keep it from spreading.
Dry rot is difficult to detect in some areas, such as underneath the flooring and between the walls. However, you can inspect parts of the property where the timber is visible. When dry rot first appears, it looks like a greyish wool material. As it grows, the fungus has a deep red colour. The reddish growth is where the spores are located. These spores can easily spread to other parts of your home or commercial property.
Hire Professionals to Treat Dry Rot
If you notice any signs of dry rot, you should hire professionals to treat the problem. Dry rot specialists in Scotland help identify and treat rotting timber. After the dry rot is detected, specialists recommend the best methods for reducing moisture. When moisture levels are under control, you can control the dry rot. Besides controlling the dry rot, affected timber should be replaced.
Dry rot is not a modern problem. The spread of timber destroying fungus has plagued buildings and ships since the 18th century. Fortunately, you have modern solutions for dealing with dry rot. You can take steps to keep moisture out of your property and protect against the fungus. You should also inspect your property for signs of dry rot and contact professionals for quick treatment.