A necessary component of a sturdy roof lays in its foundation. And when your roof begins to form dry rot, it can spell trouble for your home. Thankfully, our trusted roofing contractors in Spring TX, are here to help.
Dry rot is a fungus that can cause irreversible damage to your home. In time, decay from the dry rot can cause instability of the roofing structure, leading to its collapse.
Like anything else, a durable roof requires regular maintenance to function correctly and protect everyone inside.
In this article, Guardian Roofing shows you how to spot and prevent dry rot before it harms the structural integrity of your roof.
What Is Dry Rot?
Dry rot is an invasive fungus (Serpula lacrymans) that feeds on wood where moisture is present.
The fungi break down cellulose and hemicellulose, which are the main components that give wood strength and resilience.
“Dry rot is an invasive fungus that feeds on wood where moisture is present.”
If left unattended, the wood will begin to crack and become more fragile until it eventually decays and rots.
All is not lost, however. You can still protect your home’s value by learning the initial signs pointing to dry rot.
Causes Of Dry Rot
In Texas, it is common for dry rot to occur during the months after storm season due to the increase of moisture and humidity in the air.
However, contrary to popular belief, dry rot doesn’t require much water to survive.
This species of fungus can live off of very little moisture and can survive off of high levels of humidity alone. To our dismay, Texas experiences both high levels of humidity as well as excessive moisture from thunderstorms.
Guardian Roofing understands your struggles. Our roofing contractors in Spring TX are here to help hurricane-proof your roof and protect your investment at all costs.
Signs Of A Rotting Roof
Since dry rot needs moisture to grow, look in areas of your home where water can easily seep into your roofing system.
Dry rot can lurk in vulnerable areas such as under the surface of wood or paint and can be revealed by dark red dust. Hence, it is essential to regularly inspect your property for moisture, blistering areas, and dust.
Typical places to find rotten wood include:
- Roof framing within the attic
- Corners, joints, or anywhere two pieces of wood meet
- Support posts or beams
- Stains on interior ceilings or fireplaces, peeling paint
- Stringers and risers
- Wooden window sills
- Siding or gutters, touching outside foliage
A handy tip to check for rot is to grab a screwdriver and head over to areas you suspect dry rot. If it penetrates the wood or the wood flakes easily, you have your answer.
Once you find dry rot in your home, be sure to schedule an appointment with reliable roofing contractors in Spring TX like Guardian Roofing to repair the damage ASAP.
Ways To Prevent Dry Rot
The number one way to prevent wood rot is to maintain a stable and secure roof. Here are three ways to make that possible.
1. Check for missing tiles, shingles, or any visible weak spots around your chimney or fascia where water could enter.
2. Make sure your roof is free of leaks.
3. Schedule routine roof repairs and replace shingles before they turn into more significant problems.
“The best way to prevent wood rot is to maintain a stable and secure roof.”
Here are some preventative measures you can take to limit excessive moisture around your house:
- Ventilate and insulate your attic.
- Properly ventilate crawl spaces.
- Seal basement and crawlspace floors to reduce ground moisture.
- Check wall and roof flashing to see if the water is being directed properly.
- Make sure all windows and doors are properly flashed.
- Maintain house painting and caulking.
- Regularly clear drains and gutters
Most importantly, treat dry rot as soon as it’s discovered! Untreated dry rot can cause severe damage to your home over time.
If you notice any signs of a rotting roof or need help fixing a roof leak, contact Guardian Roofing, the best roofing contractors in Spring TX, today for a free roofing estimate.
CONTACT GUARDIAN ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN SPRING TX TO PREVENT DRY ROT IN YOUR ROOF
When you’re worried about dry rot in your roofing, talk to our experts at Guardian Roofing. Backed by years of experience, knowledge, and technical expertise, we help you in roof inspections, repairs, and maintenance. Our licensed professionals work hard to stay on track in terms of your budget and deadlines.
Call us at 832-998-3458 to discuss your requirements today!
How to Identify Dry Rot and Steps to Prevent It| Guardian Roofing – Spring, TX
