Why Does Dry Rot Happen?

Dry rot is formed by a fungus that needs the proper environment to thrive. Certain circumstances lead to a dry rot infestation inside the home, which may go undetected for some time. 

• Moisture Content  

Certain circumstances inside the home will raise the moisture content, such as a leaky faucet. Though the problem can take some time to develop, it won’t stop at the initial spot. Dry rot also doesn’t need a high moisture content; anything above 30% is enough for an infestation to begin. 

There are some rooms in a home where the problem is likely to start, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Aside from the apparent rooms, any room with some sort of water access, such as the vanity inside a bedroom, is where a problem could start. 

• Water Event 

A water event is something more significant such as a backup of a sewer or a flood. Of course, these are not as common as a leaky faucet, but they are a more significant source of problems. Considerable flooding could mean water spread throughout the home in the hard-to-find areas where dry rot could form. 

In the event of flooding, the affected area and any area around it needs to be removed and replaced to stay on the safe side. Complete replacement of any wet areas is the only way to ensure moisture won’t stay or grow, giving dry rot a chance to form.