Dry Rot Elimination in Connecticut & Westchester, NY

Identification of Dry Rot

It is important to identify whether timber decay has been caused by dry rot or another wood-destroying fungus such as one of the wet rots. This is because dry rot has the ability to travel through building materials other than timber, giving outbreaks the potential to spread quickly through a building.

• Wood shrinks, darkens, and cracks in a ‘cuboidal’ manner
• A silky grey to mushroom-colored skin frequently tinged with patches of lilac and yellow often develops under less humid conditions. This ‘skin’ can be peeled like a mushroom.
• White, fluffy ‘cottonwool’ mycelium develops under humid conditions. ‘Teardrops’ may develop on the growth.
• Strands develop in the mycelium; these are brittle and when dry and crack when bent.
• Fruiting bodies are a soft, fleshy pancake or bracket with an orange-ochre surface. The surface has wide pores.
• Rust red-colored spore dust frequently seen around fruiting bodies.
• Active decay produces a musty, damp odor.

Need of Professional Dehumidification & Drying Services

What to do if you find water or condensation in your crawl space? Time is of the essence here. Removing water quickly keeps damage to a minimum – less time for the water to penetrate walls, floors, and anything else in its path. After removing water, the crawl space may look dry, but there is a good chance they are still retaining moisture.

Most building materials are porous and will retain significant water; this water retention will cause building materials to warp, swell, or break down and can also cause mold damage. So it is essential to dry and dehumidify properly with air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers.