Moisture, mold, and pests cause the wood in many homes to deteriorate and rot over time. “Can it be fixed or refurbished?” is a question many of us have. “How do they get replaced, and is it even feasible?” Most of these concerns may be flowing through your mind, but don’t be displeased! Wood rot is a fairly common occurrence observed by foundation repair experts, particularly in high moisture content and humidity.
When we discover rotten wood, it is usually in the crawl space, basement, first-floor joists, or wooden floors. There is a problem with a wet basement or crawl space in these cases.
Structural repair, and waterproofing experts can assist you in resolving wood rot issues at their origin. We can dry out your basement or crawl space, remove flooding, and lockout humidity.
Not only will this reduce your wood rot problems, but it will also prevent the growth of other microbes such as mold and mildew and also make your home less appealing to pest infestation.
Wood Rot Signs and Indications by HydroHelp911
- Bouncy Floors
This is one of the most apparent signals of wood rot. Does it feel like it wobbles down and backs up once you move around the house? The way wood rot gnaws at the inside of your floor joists causes this “bounciness.”
The reliability of your foundation is intended to keep your home in good condition for many decades, and having a “bouncy” floor can be a significant indication that something is wrong.
- Excessive Humidity
The excess humidity in an un-encapsulated crawl space encourages the growth of wood rot fungus. Because air passes through your house, humidity can quickly transfer up into the entire house, creating unnecessary moisture throughout your home.
When you begin to notice unusual humidity for the time of year or the humidity levels outside, there is likely a problem. Whether it’s water in your crawl space, a leak in the walls, or otherwise, humidity could become a more significant issue, and you’ll need the assistance of an expert.
- Musty Odor
There are a variety of odors in homes, some good and some bad. Not every foul smell signifies something wrong, but a “musty” odor isn’t a good sign. This is because it is frequently caused by the fungus that causes wood rot or by mold expanding under or inside your home.
When you notice a foul smell in your home, try to figure out what’s causing it. If you cannot identify the source of the wood rot, you should contact experts to determine whether it is related to wood rot.
Wood rot leads to more structural damages and other moisture-related issues in your crawl space or basement.
According to foundation repair and waterproofing experts, HydroHelp911, wood rot is almost always caused by insufficient moisture in the crawl space. If you have too much humidity in your crawl space, you may encounter issues that go beyond wood rot.
- Mold and Mildew
This is among the most noticeable problems associated with a wet crawl space. Mold and mildew can quickly grow throughout your crawl space if there is too much moisture in it.
Mold and mildew have far-reaching effects. You may have health issues as well as structural damage. Furthermore, these issues do not remain confined to your crawl space; they spread throughout the rest of your home.
Because mold and mildew overgrow in moist crawl spaces, you must deal with crawl space moisture as soon as possible.
- Insects and Rodents
Insects are almost always the next step when mold begins to grow. When insects start to feed on the mold, rodents will follow to feed on the insects.
These insects and rodents can end up causing health problems, and dealing with a pest infestation can be very frightening. However, if you address the issue early on, you can usually avoid it.
Starting early is your best option for preventing insect and rodent infestations. Contact a wood rot repair and waterproofing expert for a free inspection when you notice high humidity.
- Insufficient Insulation
Moisture in your crawl space quickly seeps into the space insulation, designed to keep your house warm in the winter days and more relaxed in the summer season. Nevertheless, moisture absorbs a large portion of that.
Wet crawl space insulation is hard to clean and substitute, and it is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Furthermore, moisture reduces the R-value of your insulation, which means it will begin to work less efficiently to help shield the space.
If you have wet crawl space insulation, the only solution is to replace it.
Wood Rot Repair Solutions by HydroHelp911
- Crawl Space Encapsulation
Moisture is continuously released into the air by dirt. Even if you dry out the topmost layer as much as possible, moist soil is always just a few inches below the floor’s surface.
Crawl space encapsulation seals all water entry points, including open vents and the dirt floor. Owners won’t have crawl space moisture issues if they use correct encapsulation.
If your home has a crawl space floor, crawl space encapsulation will most likely be required until you can concentrate on wood rot repair in the crawl space.
Know what is Crawl Space Encapsulation. watch this video.
- Floor Joist Sistering
A professional repair may include sistering specific floor joists that require additional support.
This is important if the wood rot is simply a result of inadequate support structures in the first place. To keep your house structurally sound, these joists would have to be reinforced anyway.
Your floor may require sistering as part of the wood rot repair, though this is not the end of the process. An expert canadvise you on whether sistering should be included in the repair you’re considering.
- Changing out the rotting wood floor
In extreme cases, wood rot in your floor space may spread to an entire floor, resulting in rotten floors. If the wood rot has spread to the floor, an expert may rebuild the whole base. If you want to keep the wood rot at bay, you must remove all of it from your crawl space.
If you think you may be experiencing a wood rot problem in your crawl space, give us a call at 704-538-4675 to schedule a free inspection.
How can you get rid of wood rot?
The wood may only need to be repaired rather than replaced in many cases. It may require assistance in the crawl space below. If the beam or joist is a structural element of the home, it must be replaced.
The real kicker is that the method is relatively quick and straightforward, and it will restore your home’s support and protection.
Finally, consider crawl space encapsulation to keep moisture out of your crawl space. A sump pump is suitable if you regularly have water in your basement, severe flooding, or heavy rains that are not avoidable by other methods.
What causes rotten wood?
The most frequent question on most people’s lips is, “How did the wood rot take place?” Mold, moisture, and the consequences of insects such as termites are the most likely reasons for wood rot.
When we find rotten wood, it is usually in the crawl space, basement, or directly above it in the first-floor joists or wooden floors. There is a problem with a wet basement or crawl space in these cases. Various factors can cause this, but it is usually triggered by foundation cracks that allow water to enter.
Another way for water to enter a basement or crawl space is with no proper drainage. Water may end up draining directly into the foundation of the house.
If the soil slopes downward toward the foundation, all the water will pool against the foundation and enter the crawl space or basement.
What is the difference between wood rot and brown rot?
Wood Rot is a term that most commonly refers to a specific type of dry, cracking, rotting wood. Wood rot, on the other hand, is shaped by a multitude of brown rot species, most notably the “true” wood rot fungus. Wood rot takes its title from the idea that it didn’t require water to grow and survive through a fermentation process. Long ago, research disproved that theory, and wood rot is now more appropriately referred to as “brown rot.”
