Is Dry Rot Dangerous?
Although we often simply see dry rot as a rustic feature of older homes and wood products, it can be very dangerous if left untreated. Preventing dry rot requires monitoring your home for water damage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Dry rot danger occurs when wood develops a certain fungus that subsists and eats away at its structural integrity. The outcome of developing fungus is a dry and brittle appearance, thus the name "dry rot," according to entomologist Jack DeAngelis.
Misconceptions
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The dangers of dry rot are often confused with the dangers caused by termites and other wood-eating pests, DeAngelis reports. Pests eat away at wood, while fungus weakens it.
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Effects
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Dry rot fungi are known to weaken the planks on structures like patios, leading to collapses that can seriously injure or kill people, Charles Smith of San Francisco Gate reports.
Treatment
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Once wood develops an uncontrollable amount of dry rot fungus, a fungicide such as boric acid should be used on the wood. This has the added benefit of killing many pests.
Prevention/Solution
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The best way to prevent the danger of dry rot damage is to reduce moisture around the home. Common sources of water for fungus include leaky pipes and broken foundations that put wood in contact with soil.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Leonardo Aguiar
