Dry Rot Wood Siding

Woodpecker poking holes to get at the insects lurking underneath pests such as termites rodents and other animals.

Dry rot wood siding.

Several reasons for damage to wood siding can be. Rot mold or mildew usually affects wood sidings the most in multiple ways. Dry rot also known as brown rot is wood decay caused by fungi which can ruin any wooden structures inside or outside your home. The name though is somewhat misleading because dry rot only affects timber that s very damp.

Wood siding is susceptible to rot mold warping and mildew in different ways. If you re able to push the tool s tip easily into a suspect board then it s time to root out the rot. The wood is left weakened and brittle often with a blocky appearance. Wood rot is the most misunderstood concept in home improvement.

Wood with dry rot might be white and spongy if still wet or brown and crumbly if dried out. It is actually fairly simple lingering moisture in wood creates an environment conducive to fungi growth which in turn causes the wood s fibers to deteriorate. Often called dry rot because the surface of the wood appears dry brown rot fungi targets cellulose in the wood s structure. Dry rot occurs in wood and is caused by a type of fungus known as serpula lacrymans.

Causes of rotten wood understanding wood rot is the first step towards fighting it so take a minute to think about what causes wood to rot. As the cellulose is destroyed the wood shrinks turns deep. Holes poked by woodpeckers to find insects underneath pests such as rodents or termites residing in the sidings. Dry rot can be found in exterior materials like wood siding or a deck or in a kitchen or bathroom subfloor or wall framing if there s even a slight ongoing leak.

Even the most well kept wood siding is susceptible to moisture and damage which will lead to rotted wood. You simply have to remove the damage section and fill in that particular area. Here are several common reasons for damage. If you find a small portion of rotting wood you can prevent it from affecting the entire wood siding.

Don t get fooled by contractors. Pay particular attention to joints which dry slowly and to all wood that s close to dirt concrete or masonry.