Did
you know that dry rot is ironically created from having too much moisture come
in contact with wood? The fact is many homeowners are unaware that dry rot is
even setting in, so the first step toward prevention is being able to diagnose
possible areas of exposure before dry rot becomes a major renovation expense.
Remember
that dry rot to your foundation can be an extremely costly repair and will
definitely figure prominently into the total value of your property when a
house inspection is completed prior to a sale. As well, fungus and mold spores
can affect the air quality of your home, which is a health problem for not only
you and your family but also for prospective buyers.
Identifying
Leaks To Your Water Membrane
In
a very simple sense, discovering moisture or a leak on a wall or ceiling is an
early sign that damage is occurring. Always inspect ceilings for particular
evidence, especially around skylights and exhaust piping, as well as heating or
cooling ducts. If damage was done to your roofing membrane during an
installation or renovation, water can seep through.
Do
an inspection of your basement in order to determine if any discoloring is
happening to walls or wood. If you can smell mold or mildew, you may have a
problem. However, this doesn't mean that you're already suffering from dry rot,
just that the area is a hazard and should be sealed properly. Deal with the
cause of the leak before you proceed to the repair stage.
Replacing
The Affected Areas
If
you have discovered wood that is either in the process of rotting, or has
succumb to some water damage, the best thing to do is simply replace it. Once
you've sealed the leak that initially caused the damage, discuss with your contractor
the scope of the replacement job.
When
installing new wood, it's best to make sure that it's treated with a Borate
wood preservative to prolong its life and resilience to fungal infection. In
some cases, you may not need to replace wood at all. You may be able to get
away with only cleaning and then treating the area with Boric Acid, a fungicide
that will slow down the spread of existing fungus and kill future growth.
Choosing
The Right Fungicide And Preservative
This
step will depend on the unique needs of your home's situation. Generally, you
have the option to choose between a dry powder and a glycol-based liquid
concentrate. While the powder may appear less expensive, it may not do as
thorough a job of absorbing deeply into the wood fibers. Depending on the depth
of fungal intrusion, you may need to use the more powerful liquid substance.
Both are easy to apply, so you should be able to tackle this task yourself.
Maintaining
the quality of your home is essential for keeping up its value when it comes
time to sell. Call your trusted real estate professional today for more advice
on preserving the value of your investment and identifying areas of risk and
exposure to dry rot. Remember that it's far easier to deal with problems now
before they develop into major expenses down the road.
Interested in selling your
Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com Interested in buying a Charleston area
home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com
-Jeff
Cook
Jeff
Cook Real Estate
Charleston,
SC
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