Dry rot is a troubling problem that your roof, or other wood in your home, might develop. It leaves wood dry and crumbling and has a reputation for spreading very quickly through buildings. If you suspect you might have dry rot, you may wonder how quickly it spreads and what kind of intervention you’ll need to get rid of it and protect your home. Here are the answers to all ofyour dry rot questions.

What is Dry Rot and How Does it Spread?

Dry rot is a fungus with the scientific name Serpulalacrymans. It has been around for hundreds of years, infecting our wooden structures, much to carpenters’ frustration. Like other fungi, dry rot can spread in a few different ways. It can create two different kinds of spores, including basidiospores, as well as mycelium, which is kind of like a fungi root that new fungi can grow from. You may see the mycelium, but you likely won’t see the spores, which means wood may be infected even when it appears not to be.

In order to grow, it needs oxygen and a small amount of moisture, as low as 20%.The fungus grows rhizomorphs, a kind of fungal root that transports water from far away, into the wood that the fungus is currently feeding on.

How Quickly Does Dry Rot Spread?

Dry rot can spread up to 80 mm per day, if it has optimal conditions for growth. In order to achieve this intense growth, dry rot needs temperatures between 66- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit. Further, unlike many other fungi, dry rot does not need a lot of moisture to grow quickly. Ideal moisture conditions are between 30 and 40 percent.

Even when temperatures and moisture aren’t ideal, dry rot will still spread quickly. This spread is why most roofers and other professionals trained to treat dry rot will suggest you get aggressive treatments right away.

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Treatments: Handle Leaks and Ventilation

What kind of treatments should you undergo if you have dry rot in your roof? First, it is important to cut off the fungi from the moisture that has enabled its growth. In a roof, a leak is typically the source of moisture. Although, if the roof has insufficient ventilation, that may be causing the moisture problem. Moisture generated in the house, including from the kitchen or bathroom, could get trapped in the roof, where is supplies the dry rot. In this case, your roofer will have to add additional ventilation.

Once the underlying roof problem has been corrected, you’ll need to get a professional to tackle the dry rot itself. Typically, treatment involves cutting out any infected wood, or wood that looks like it may be infected. Then, the remaining wood needs to be treated to prevent any lingering dry rot spores from growing. Of course, the removed wood must also be replaced. In roofs, this must be done carefully to maintain structural integrity.

Dry rot is a challenging problem precisely because it spreads so fast, and if you suspect you have it in your roof, it’s wise to call a professional.