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Tips for Preventing and Repairing Wood Rot

Rotting wood in a crawl space.

You’re walking around your house and feel a section of your floor bounce under your weight. Most of the time, this has to do with wood rot damaging the supportive subfloor structures.

Somehow, moisture is getting into your home and causing wooden structures to decay. On this page, we’ll explore what wood rot is, why it happens, and how you can prevent it (and repair it) for good.

What is Wood Rot?

Wood rot occurs when wood in a house starts to break down and decay because it has been exposed to too much moisture. Wood is a natural material that can absorb water.

When wood gets wet and doesn’t dry out quickly, it becomes a perfect place for fungi to grow. These fungi eat away at the wood, causing it to rot. Over time, this can make the wood weak and crumbly.

Where to Check for Wood Rot 

Living in the South, your home is susceptible to wood rot due to heavy rainfall and humidity. You can use the tools you have at home, such as a flashlight and a screwdriver, to check your home for wood rot. There are several different places in your home that you can check for signs of wood rot, including: 

1. Walls and Floors

Many floors and trim along your walls are constructed of wood. You should check areas around walls and floors where water may be prevalent, such as in your bathroom or kitchen.

If you notice any discoloration or mold in these areas, then you likely have wood rot. Your bathroom and kitchen walls are especially susceptible to wood rot, because they are constantly exposed to moisture. 

2. Attic

Faulty gutters and leaky roofs can cause water to leak into your home’s attic. This water not only damages the personal belongings you have stored in the space, but the wood in your attic is also at great risk for wood rot.

Living in areas with heavy rain and humidity, such as the Southern United States, can cause attics to become areas where moisture seeps in through cracks and voids. You can use your flashlight to highlight the wood in your attic and your screwdriver to check for mushy spots in the wood.

3. Windows and Doors

Both windows and doors are places where both water and humidity can enter your home. If your windows are not properly sealed by caulk, then rain is likely to seep in and damage your wooden windowsill. In areas like Alabama, where rain can be frequent during certain periods of the year, consistent rainfall can keep your windowsill damp, causing the wood to grow fungi that will start to cause it to rot.  

4. Wooden Siding

While wood siding is durable and capable of lasting a long time, it is particularly susceptible to wood rot. This is because the siding of your house is constantly exposed to the elements, especially rain, snow, and humidity.

You should be checking your siding for signs of wood rot, such as window discoloration and swelling. Cosmetic bandages, like paint, can hide wood rot on the surface of the siding.

To check your siding for wood rot, you should use the tip of your screwdriver to press into the wood. If the screwdriver pierces the wood, then your home’s siding is experiencing wood rot. 

5. Crawl Space

Crawl spaces, due to being under your home and exposed to the outside, are often damp and dark. This combination provides the perfect conditions for wood rot.

If you decide to check your crawl space, make sure to take the proper precautions. Wear protective gear and goggles and bring a flashlight with you. In most cases, it’s better to have a professional inspect your crawl space, as they’ll have the proper tools and training to locate wood rot.

How to Prevent Wood Rot 

Wood rot is most common in homes with a crawl space. If you have a home like this, crawl space encapsulation is the most effective method to prevent wood rot. Here’s a look into how it works:

Before (left) and after (right) crawl space encapsulation.
  1. Sealing the Space: The process begins by sealing off the crawl space from outside air, moisture, and pests. This is done using a heavy-duty vapor barrier that covers the floor and walls of the crawl space. All seams, junctions, and gaps are securely sealed to prevent any moisture from entering.
  2. Controlling Humidity: After sealing, it’s essential to control the humidity levels within the space. This is typically done by installing a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier consistently maintains low humidity levels, making the environment unsuitable for the growth of mold and fungi, which are primary contributors to wood rot.
  3. Updating Insulation: Adding foam board insulation to the walls of the crawl space keeps the temperature constant. This helps keep relative humidity below your home low.

By keeping the crawl space dry and free from excessive humidity, encapsulation prevents the damp conditions that lead to wood rot. This not only protects the structural integrity of the wood but also improves the overall air quality in your home and reduces the chance of mold-related health issues.

Other Tips to Reduce Wood Rot

While crawl space encapsulation is the best way to stop wood rot, there are some other steps you can take to reduce the chances of wood rot. If you don’t have a crawl space, these tips are also useful.

  • Repair Your Roof: Routinely inspect your roof for damage and have any cracks or voids promptly repaired by a professional to prevent moisture from seeping into your attic.
  • Fill in Cracks: Seal any cracks in your home’s foundation, crawl space, attic, windows, and doors with caulk to prevent moisture entry, and contact foundation repair professionals to address larger voids and cracks.
  • Repair Damaged Gutters: Fix any damaged gutters to prevent water from damaging your home’s wooden siding and contributing to wood rot in the attic or crawl space.

How to Repair the Damage 

AFS crewman attaching vapor barrier to a support column in crawl space.

If you have evaluated your home and discovered wood rot, it is time to come up with your repair plan. Wood that has been severely affected by rot should be taken care of by trained professionals.

Wood rot isn’t a problem that will go away on its own, so don’t ignore it. Contact AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists today to schedule a free inspection and keep your home dry!

Related Resources

Ted Dryce

Ted Dryce

Content Writer

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.

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