3 Steps to Fix Dry Rot | Fix Wood Rot

The first step in fixing dry rot | wood rot is to determine the root cause of the damage. Here are the things to look for:

Look for any potential water damage:

• The water could be coming from weather, roof or plumbing leaks
• Water can pool in a visible area or seep into undetected areas.
• If you see water not draining properly, and if there is any wood coming into contact with that water, then there is a good chance for dry rot.

Look for pest activity:

• Are there any ants or termites or any other infestation near the rotted wood?
• If you detect or suspect insect infestation call in an experienced framing carpenter ASAP
• An experienced carpenter can confirm you evaluation and get the right pest control technician involved

The next step in fixing dry rot | wood rot is to eliminate the cause of the problem:

• First and foremost, stop the water and moisture from returning. This can be done by redirecting the water, sealing any leaks, repairing any faulty plumbing or by using retaining structures (concrete or pressure treated) to keep the water away from the wood.
• Any infestation by termites or carpenter ants should be tackled by a professional pest control technician. These pests are notorious for building their nests in hidden and undetectable locations and often a simple spraying will only kill some visible insects while the hive or nest keeps producing more of the wood-destroying creatures

The last step in fixing dry rot | wood rot is to replace the damaged wood

• If the problem is just beginning, you can simply reinforce the existing structure. By temporarily reinforcing your whole structure and replacing only the damaged wood, you can save yourself a lot of heartache and money. The damaged areas need not be wholly rebuilt if the problem boards/lumber can be isolated and replaced
• If the problem is too far gone, replacement of the entire damaged deck, deck stairs or other structure may be necessary