Wood & Dry Rot Damage Repair in the Greater Green Bay Area

Prevent dry rot damage in the crawl space with Sure-Dry

Certain fungus species, mold, and moisture problems can cause wet rot, dry rot, and wood damage. 

Dry rot, wood rot, and mold can wreak havoc on your crawl space. Luckily, if you catch the problem before it becomes too severe, a crawl space repair contractor like Sure-Dry can offer a fast and affordable solution.

Unfortunately, it's not enough to simply repair wood damaged by dry rot and mold. Damaged wood must be properly treated to prevent the return of dry rot, mold, and other issues. Eliminating excess moisture and humidity in the crawl space will also help protect against mold growth and further damage.

Sure-Dry offers long-term solutions for dry rot damage that include crawl space encapsulation, a self-draining dehumidifier, and structural repair using crawl space support jacks. Call us at 1-800-379-3788 or click below to schedule a free dry rot repair estimate in Oshkosh, Appleton, Green Bay, and nearby.

Types of Wood Rot & Damage in the Crawl Space

Crawl spaces with moisture and humidity issues can cause weakened floor joists and wooden beams, resulting in costly structural damage — and, worst case scenario, a home collapse. Excess water and humidity in the crawl space can cause different types of wood rot and damage.

• Dry Rot: Dry rot is a form of fungal decay that affects wood when it becomes excessively damp or wet. It occurs when airborne spores come into contact with damp wood, leading to the growth of grey root hyphae strands. These strands develop into a thick, cotton-like substance known as mycelium, which consumes cellulose in the wood, causing it to turn brown, shrink, and weaken over time.
• Wood Rot: Wood rot, also known as wet rot, is a type of fungal decay that occurs when wood is exposed to excess moisture or water for an extended period — typically setting in anywhere from one to six months after exposure. Fungi are attracted to the damp wood and feed on it, gradually breaking down the timber and weakening the wood's structural integrity. As wet rot continues to consume the wood, it releases additional spores, which can cause it to spread to other areas.
• Crawl Space Mold: Mold damage occurs when wood or the surrounding air retains high moisture levels over extended periods. Since wood is biodegradable, mold finds it to be an ideal food source and begins to consume it. Left unchecked, crawl space mold can lead to substantial structural damage as it continues to eat away at the wood source and expands throughout the affected area.

Surface Mold vs. Wood Rot — What's the difference?

Crawl space moisture can cause mold growth, which ultimately results in wood rot and other issues.

Mold feeds on sugars, starches, and other compounds in wood. Living wood protects itself from mold and rot damage with its bark, which does not contain the starches and sugars that mold thrives on. Once the wood is cut and processed, it loses this natural layer of protection and opens the door to mold and rot.

While surface mold consumes the starches and sugars in the wood, it does not impact the strength of the wood. Wood rot, on the other hand, consumes sugars and starches in addition to converting the structural polymers in wood fibers to food, weakening the strength of the wood.

Surface mold is easily cleaned without damaging wood. Wood rot, however, may require serious repairs.

Signs of Dry Rot Damage & Mold in the Crawl Space

While no one wants to deal with crawl space issues, problems like wood rot, dry rot, and mold often exhibit early warning signs that can help you detect them.

If you notice any of these early signs, it's essential to address them quickly to prevent further damage and protect the health of your crawl space and home. Regular inspections and proper moisture control from a professional crawl space repair company like Sure-Dry can keep mold and dry rot damage at bay.

FAQs About Dry Rot Damage

• How do you treat wood rot in crawl spaces?

  The following steps are recommended to treat wood rot in your crawl space.

  1. Remove all wood that shows visible fungus or decay, as well as any wood within one meter of visibly decayed material.
  2. Remove paneling, linings, plaster, and other surfaces around the decayed material.
  3. Use a wire brush to clean off all surfaces, including pipes and metal within 1.5 meters of rot.
  4. Clean up all dust and debris left over from the above process.
  5. Apply fungicide to concrete, masonry, and exposed dirt in the area. Use two coatings of fungicide for wood surfaces within 1.5 meters of the damage.
  6. Replace wood impacted by wood rot with fungicide-treated wood.

  Once dry rot damage is treated, you should consider having our experts install a complete crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation system to prevent future wood rot. Otherwise, you run the risk of having to redo this entire process.

• What happens if dry rot is left untreated?

  Unfortunately, wood rot and mold go hand-in-hand. Mold is a type of fungus that thrives by consuming sugars,

  Ignoring dry rot damage will not make it go away. In fact, it will only get worse as time goes on, putting the structural integrity of your home at risk and potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. Similarly, if dry rot is not treated properly, it can continue to be a problem in the future.

• Will bleach kill dry rot?

  No, bleach will not kill dry rot. Any wood that has been affected by dry rot damage should be completely replaced as soon as possible to prevent the rot from spreading.

• Can dry rot be stopped?

  Yes, as long as it is treated properly. To do so, you must:

  • Remove any wood with dry rot damage, as well as any materials located near the rot.
  • Remove the source of moisture and humidity
  • Treat the remaining area with a chemical that hinders the growth of wood rot.

  Taking these steps, as well as waterproofing and encapsulating your crawl space, can help prevent future wood rot.

Dry Rot Damage Repair in Appleton, Oshkosh & Nearby

If you've noticed dry rot, wet rot, mold, or other damage in your Green Bay crawl space, call the pros at Sure-Dry. We can treat and repair wood damage and help address crawl space humidity with high-quality, proven solutions that include crawl space encapsulation, self-draining dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, and more.

Contact us at 1-800-379-3788 or online today to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate in Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond Du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Wausau, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Neenah, and nearby cities and towns in Wisconsin.

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