Well that is what my Mom will say about me. In my family this is a term of endearment.
In the world of home inspections rot is the number one destroyer of structural materials in homes. In many cases is the precursor to infestation of wood destroying insects.
As a Wenatchee Structural Pest Inspector (SPI) rot is the number one item reported on the “Wood Destroying Insect and Organism” section of my report other than conditions that are conducive to rot and insect infestation.
Rot or more appropriately wood decay fungi (and less common bacteria) is the beginning process that which the wood is degraded and decomposed.
The main concerns for an SPI are three fungi; brown, soft and white rot. This is determined by the appearance of the wood. Brown and soft rot fungi use the carbohydrates (cellulose) in the wood. This weakens the wood and can structurally compromise the wood.
Brown rot is usually in soft woods such as Douglas-fir, hemlock and pines. Soft rot is usually associated with very moist conditions. White rot is prevalent in hardwoods like oak, maple and ash.
White rot fungi can consume all cell wall components, including lignin. This often causes a bleaching (whitening) of normal wood coloration. Their ability to metabolize lignin in wood is unique among fungi. It has the ability to consume up to 97% of the woods weight.
Dry rot is often a miss-used term since it refers to a fungus that can rot wood by transporting moisture into relatively dry wood. The true dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) is very rare in Western North America but common in the Far East and inEurope. It seems to have a distinct preference for wood in contact with bricks and mortar. It is not found in the Pacific Northwest.
Almost all the processes for decay have four main requirements; moisture, temperature, oxygen and a food source.
The number one factor a homeowner can do is removing sources of moisture. This can be done by painting, fixing plumbing leaks, good ventilation, proper drainage and grading around the home, as well as vegetation and earth contact with wood and siding materials.
Chelan and Wenatchee Home Inspection- I am Rotten!!! This may be, but it takes one to know one!
“Inspecting the World-One Home at a time”
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572
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