How to Take Care of Wood Rot and Dry Rot

Learn from the Professionals: How to Take Care of Wood Rot and Dry Rot in Wilmington, NC & Surrounding Areas

If left unchecked, dry rot and wood rot can create lots of damage and consequences for your home. In areas prone to moisture such as windows, the basement, crawlspaces, and more can all build up moisture over time. Learn how to detect, identify, and treat dry rot in your home in this blog.

How to Look for Dry Rot and Wood Rot

Search for moisture-prone areas in your home with a long-handled screwdriver and a flashlight. Rot is evident if the wood can be punctured or penetrated with a screwdriver, is soft, has an odor, is discolored, swollen, and so on. It is recommended to check every year before winter.

Where Dry Rot and Wood Rot Can be Found

• Roof
• Perimeter Wood
• Wet Rooms
• Basement
• Bathrooms
• Windows
• Exterior Doors
• Crawl Spaces
• Siding

Treating Dry Rot and Wood Rot

Start by drying out the area first. Find and fix the leak first or seal where the moisture is coming in from. Set up a fan and dehumidifier for a few days to make sure the wood is all dried out. Once dried, seal the area with borate or copper wood preservative. Check back in a few days and a few weeks later to make sure the seal holds and no new moisture seeps in.

How to Prevent Dry Rot and Wood Rot

You can prevent moisture buildup by keeping a dehumidifier in the basement, installing an exhaust fan in the bathroom, and if you have a deck outside, wiping off any standing water after it rains.

With these tips, your home will be safe from the risks of rot and moisture. Check once a year and if you need any help with these tasks, reach out to local craftspeople to schedule estimates and at-home consultations to get professional help.

Contact Handyman Connection of Wilmington

Contact our team at Handyman Connection of Wilmington for your home repair needs. Fill out a form or call 910-601-8479 to schedule an estimate.