How Long Does it Take for Wood to Rot from Water in Richardson?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

If you've experienced flooding in your home, contact the water damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Richardson.

Has your home been flooded from a plumbing mishap or storm? Storms and floods, water leaks, and plumbing defects in Richardson can cause the wood in your house to rot. So, how long does it take for wood to rot from water? It depends on several factors. If the decay goes unnoticed or isn’t addressed quickly, wood can rot and be destroyed in just a few short years. 

What Causes Wood to Rot from Water?

Water damage causes interior wood wet rot. Leaking roofs, burst pipes, or plumbing defects allow for water ingress into the building’s structure. Wood frames, studs, subfloors, and other wooden parts of the house are at risk of rotting away. When wood is exposed to water over a long period, wet rot takes hold. 

Does Wood Rot Spread?

For wet rot to occur in wood, the wood must contain a 30% moisture content over a long period. Fortunately, wet wood rot won’t spread. But if the moisture problem isn’t remediated wood rot will continue to eat away at the wood until it’s completely decayed. Taking care of the moisture content with a dehumidifier, and halting the water ingress will halt wet wood rot. But dry rot is another story. 

What is Dry Rot?

Dry rot is a form of wood decay like wet rot. But while water is the direct cause of wet rot, fungi cause dry rot. Dry rot weakens the wood, makes it brittle, and gives the wood a blocky appearance. Dry rotted wood will crumble and splinter when you touch it. 

While moisture doesn't directly cause dry rot, it does indirectly. High humidity feeds the fungus that causes dry rot, so remediating water damage is the key to preventing this type of wood decay. Unfortunately, dry rot will spread if left unaddressed. 

Dry Rot Treatment

How can you fix dry rot? Dry rot treatment includes using epoxy, commercial antifreeze, and copper components to strengthen the wood and destroy the fungus that’s causing the dry rot. Addressing moisture issues will also prevent dry rot from taking hold. 

Wood Rot: A Takeaway

If your home has experienced water damage, wet and dry rot can occur and severely compromise your house's structural integrity. At SERVPRO of Richardson, our water damage restoration experts are standing by to assist. Contact us today to get help for your water damaged property as soon as possible.