What Causes Dry Rot on Maui?

Like several other homeowners, you’re most likely wondering what causes dry rot on Maui? We have all the answers you need in this article. But first, what exactly is dry rot because it’s easy to assume that all wood decays are dry rot.

Dry rot is one of the most severe forms of fungal decay known as the Serpula lacrymans. The rot usually occurs when a piece of wood becomes too wet and contains moisture content that is above 20%. When the Serpula Lacrymans attack such wood, it triggers dry rot.

The fungus that triggers dry rot is dreadfully destructive. It spreads easily destroying woods in its path including flooring, door frames, structural timbers and skirting board, etc. Worst still, dry rot affects all types of properties and can be destructive to the structural integrity of a property if left unattended. One of the worst-case scenarios of dry rot damage is causing a building to collapse with untold damage.

What causes dry rot on Maui?

Dry rot occurs when a damp timber or wood that has a moisture content of over 20% is exposed to airborne spores. Once these spores are in contact with such wood, they germinate and quickly sprout grey root hyphae strands. The hyphae then grow into mycelium and you can easily see it covering the timber as a thick substance similar to cotton wool.

Once the fungus attacks the wood, it starts by eating it bit by bit and then sucking the moisture from it leaving it weakened. The fungus then finds a way to advance its effort by sprouting more spores to carry on its life cycle. More so, this fungus is known for thriving in damp, moist, and poorly ventilated environments.

This is one of the key reasons to avoid dampness in your home including leaking pipes, leaking washing machine, faulty drainage, and broken roof tiles, etc. which can easily create a convenient condition for the fungus to thrive. You can learn about how to fix dry rot on Maui.

How to identify dry rot on Maui

Early detection is key to eradicating the fungus that triggers dry rot in woods. In fact, the longer dry rot is allowed to thrive, the greater the damage it can cause to various woods in your home. This is why it’s important to know when to fix dry rot on Maui. Here’s how to quickly spot dry rot on Maui:

• When you noticed a damp fungal smell
• Since the fungus thrives better in dark and damp areas, dry rot is often noticed in non-visible areas like under stairs, attics, behind plasters, in the loft, and in flooring
• Fractured, dry, and brittle woods that crumble and break by hand too easily.
• Warping and shrinking timber as a result of the moisture removed from the wood.
• When you observe cuboidal cracking all over the grain of the wood

Also, depending on the fungus phase in its life cycle, it will appear in various forms including as:

• Spores
• Hyphae
• Mycelium
• Sporophore

Wondering if you have dry rot on not? Contact us right now for a free dry rot inspection.