While some would argue that I am “nit picking,” the fact is that sometimes it is very important to understand the terms we use. 

wood decay rotI am sure there are interesting studies as to just how things become "generic."  Take Kleenex for example.  Kleenex is a brand name that is commonly used to describe any kind of nose-wipe.  While Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. may have an issue with the misuse of its brand name "Kleenex," the fact remains that when someone says they need a kleenex it really won’t matter too much who the tissue is made by as they all do pretty much the same job.

The term “Dry Rot” is similarly used to generically describe wood decay/rot in homes.  The problem with using this term in a generic fashion is that there is a huge difference between actual Dry Rot and other types of wood decay/rot and requires quite different protocols for elimination.

All types of rot require that the wood have sufficient “free water” to support growth (for this discussion we will assume that oxygen, food and temperatures are suitable).  Moisture levels to support Brown Cubical Rot, Soft Rot, and White Rot (the three most common types of rot) typically have to be above 30% for the organisms to be happy and prosper.  With Dry Rot the wood moisture content will also have to have sufficient free water, but the wood gets to be at this level because the fungus is bringing the moisture to the wood as opposed to the wood being already wet.Decay rot at a drain

This is a very important distinction because fixing a leaky roof or leaky toilet will be sufficient to stop the growth of most wood decay rot brought about by these conditions, but will not be sufficient to stop the growth of a fungus that is growing to the wood---bringing moisture to the wood from the ground.

Dry rot has the potential of attacking huge areas of a home’s structure without any real moisture issue already existing in the wood.  Generally speaking brown rot or soft rot are more likely to be more localized.  It can be more widespread if venting is inadequate or some other condition is present that elevates moisture levels in the woodwork above 30 percent, but generally speaking it will be more localized to the area of leaking---whether a plumbing leak or otherwise.

To date, there have been no documented cases of true “Dry Rot” in Washington State, but because of the Kleenex Effect---many people think it is common.

 

Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

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Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector on 02/06/2013 07:10 AM   Comments (16)   ActiveRain Community in the ActiveRain Channel   dry rot, rot, wood decay rot  
Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: Beware of the “Kleenex Effect”
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16 Comments on Beware of the “Kleenex Effect”

FEB
06

Just cut that dry-rot out with your Saws-all, patch it with some Bondo then cover it up with Sheetrock. It's a dirty job so you may need some Band-Aids on hand
9:22am • #1

I recently had a conversation semi-related to this post with Mr. Smith of King of the House. Talking about  "trademark erosion" 

In this case, could it be referred to as "organism identification erosion"?

Maybe I just have my Stetson on too tight or my Ray bans are dirty....Or maybe it's a termite problem.
9:39am • #2
916,723 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Curtis, yes brands are not what they used to be.  The thing about organism id erosion is that nobody tells them---they just carry on doing their job :)  (see you soon in B-ham)
9:46am • #3

We do need to learn how to identify our Kleenex properly

 

See you soon :-)
9:52am • #4
157,752 Points

Looks like one of the many crawlspaces that I encounter... glad to see I'm not the only one that is so lucky :)
10:16am • #5
728,040 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Charles - That was an interesting post. Living in a semi-arid climate, we don't see much of this except in older, uncared-for homes or leaking water situations, and I haven't seen enough of it over the years to learn to make any kind of distinction, which I will continue to leave to the experts. But at least I now know that it isn't necessarily a simple call.
12:44pm • #6
356,510 Points 27 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for the class on Dry Rot... I've seen rot before (and assumed it was dry rot)... it was not.
3:32pm • #7
971,129 Points 102 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

When I have a bad cold Charles, my nose appears to have dry rot. 

This is a very interesting post as it does show the broad variety of rot... 
3:51pm • #8
916,723 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Curtis, nothing worse that improperly identified kleenex :)

Joshua, I see way too many of them for sure

Dick, and your neck of the woods is where you would more likely find the "vicious" type of fungus :)

Rene, unfortunately is is a widely misused term.  Sometimes I feel like I am tilting at windmills :)

Paul, good thing we don't have wooden heads or wooden teeth.  I wonder if fungi grew in George Washington's teeth?:)
4:16pm • #9
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great discussion Charlie.  Dry rot is a term that is so often used incorrectly.  Rot happens because of moisture all the time.  I have never heard the words "Kleenex effect!"
4:33pm • #10
155,778 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It's not nit picking if 'nits' are a form of wood rot, is it?

All we have to do is have everyone calling wood rot by the term 'nits'.

Hows that for proactive etymology, but don't let an entomologist hear you.
5:22pm • #11
916,723 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, feel free to use it---then just throw it away :)

Robert, I can hear it now---"You've got some serious nits in the sill plate!"
5:38pm • #12
FEB
07
292,716 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Charlie, This is a rotten post. Even here I see my share of the old "Rot" and we have to earn it in most cases.
8:00am • #13
FEB
08
1,344,219 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yuck, that looks nasty! I would indeed want an inspector finding things like that!
5:09am • #14
916,723 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don, "earning"---great way to describe the difference :)

Barbara, yup---that is what we do :)
7:12am • #15
FEB
09
567,660 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

This is not unlike a generic term here, powder post beetles. Rarely are the beetles infesting wood in most homes PPB's, they are usually anobiids. Get's my nits a pickin'. 
1:50pm • #16


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Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Seattle, WA

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