How to Take Care of Wood Rot and Dry Rot

Maintain Your Home and Learn How to Take Care of Wood Rot and Dry Rot in Lexington, KY & Surrounding Areas

If left alone, dry rot and wood rot can cause lots of damage to your home. Here we will discuss how to look out for it, what causes it, and how you can fix it. Save the expenses of long term damage with these tips and keep your home in tip-top shape.

What is Dry Rot?

Dry rot is what happens when wood in the structure of your home is exposed to moisture. This can be due to leaks or being in a damp area where moisture can build up.

Susceptible Areas of the Home

Look for wood rot in these key areas every year. Checking before winter is important because the freeze and melt can do a lot of damage if moisture is getting into your home.

• Roof
• Wet Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Basement
• Crawl Spaces
• Perimeter Woods
• Windows

Monitoring for Dry Rot

Check for dry rot with a flashlight and a long-handled screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to test if the wood is wet or soft, a sign of rot. Discoloring, an odor, and swelling are all signs of rot as well.

Treating Dry Rot

• Repair leaks and seal the area.
• Let wood dry out.
• Seal with copper or borate wood preservative.

Once these repairs are made, check back to make sure it remains dry, and no more moisture appears.

Preventing Dry Rot

Prevent rot by having fresh caulking around all areas susceptible to moisture. Install an exhaust fan in the bathroom and put a dehumidifier in the basement. On your deck outside, remove standing water after it rains.

These helpful tips should help you know how to maintain and make repairs in your home for risks of dry rot. A yearly check will make sure everything is as it should be, and you now know what to do if you find any damage.

Contact Handyman Connection of Lexington

Contact us or call (859) 549-5429 to schedule a free estimate.