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Termites and dry rot are the two extremely harmful forces which can destroy your home. Both conditions look similar but they’re comparatively different from each other. There are certain distinctions which you should know to treat them separately. Subterranean Termites & Dry Rot As most of us know, termites are small insects which destroy and eat your precious wood. Their nourishment is largely based on the cellulose present inside the wood. So, they consume the inner part of the wood and make it useless and hollow. Termites will crawl out of their colonies up through cracks in your foundation or when the colony becomes too large, it will split (much like bees do) and swarm looking for a new place to colonize………and you don’t want that new colony to set up residence inside your home! The fungi that causes dry rot creates channels in your homes wood. It creates these channels inside the wood by consuming wood and carrying water. On the other hand, termites dig tubes by chewing on the cellulous in your wood which is then dissolved by the enzymes in their saliva. How to Control Termites and Dry Rot Keeping your homes perimeter, crawls spaces and basement dry are first and foremost when it comes to prevention. One of the number once causes we find when working on a client’s home is lack of proper ventilation. For homes without a basement, the crawl space under your house needs to breathe and have air circulating freely to help keep it try during rainy months. Positive ventilation both around the perimeter of your home above the foundation as well as your attic space is one of the most important preventative measures you can take to keep your homes structure clean and dry and discourage both termites and dry rot. No need to worry about rodents either! Today’s vents are made to prevent entry by rodents of all shapes and sizes. Secondly, any leaky pipes, roofs, improperly installed windows and doors, etc. left uncheck and uncorrected will slowly but surely destroy your home and cause extensive damage. Ventilation of at least two square feet per 25 lineal feet of wall or one square foot for every 500 square feet of crawl space should exist under buildings. Home inspections are vital to pinpointing problems and giving the homeowner a time line for needed repairs before a small problem becomes a large and expensive venture! Site prep for new construction is key as well. Proper grading to encourage water to flow away from your home, proper venting and gutters with down spouts leading to a drainage basin are all necessary measures in keeping your home dry. Additionally, vapor barriers can be used on soil surfaces under the home and in crawl spaces as well to help keep moisture from building up can make a difference in areas with high humidity. How to Treat Existing Dry Rot and Wood Rot Fungus Borates such as Bora-care and Timbor are labeled for remedial treatment of wood decay & fungi. These products may be applied directly by brushing, spraying, or injection. But remember this is a temporary fix and will only stop the advancement of the rot and fungus. Fungi will begin to die a few days after treatment and will dry up, though dead fungi will sometimes emit an odor as they decompose. This should only last a couple days and may be relieved with circulation of fresh air into the area. Chemical control of wood decay fungi will NOT strengthen or repair the wood itself. Damaged wood should be replaced and moisture reduction and control efforts should also accompany repairs. The same goes for damage caused by a termite infestation. Wood that has suffered heavy damage should be removed and replaced following tenting to ensure the structural integrity of your home, keeping your floors level and your wall and roof strong! Remember; it’s best to fix a small problem before it becomes a larger one. If you think you may have a problem with either termites or dry rot, call a Contractor you trust to come out and inspect your home. It will be money well spent to extend both the life and overall value of your property.
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