Dry Rot Roof

Is There Dry Rot On My Roof?

Dry rot, or moisture-laden wood decay, occurs often occurs on roofs because of a combination of warmth and moisture on wood that creates the ideal environment for wood-destroying fungi to thrive.

Load-bearing beams, ceilings, rafters, and floor joists can quickly and dangerously weaken if you don’t deal with the dry rot attack early enough. Thankfully, there are several ways to prevent dry rot from destroying your roof.

In this article, we look at how to tell if your roof has dry rot and how to repair dry rot on your own roof before it’s too late.

What is dry rot?

Dry rot is a wood-decaying fungus that lives in concealed parts of the roof where there is plenty of moisture. It reproduces at a rate of at least five million spores per minute, and can lie dormant for years, even in the absence of moisture.

As soon this fungus comes into contact with moisture, it thrives. Older properties are at significant risk of suffering from dry rot damage as the wood used to construct their roofs may not have been treated properly. Our team of roofing contractors in Burnsville, MN see a fair share of roof rot.

How to tell if your roof has dry rot

When dry rot occurs, your roof can become worn down, discolored, or cracked. If left unchecked, parts of the roof can collapse, causing severe damage.

The first step to removing dry rot is to locate moisture-exposed wood. These places could include:

  • Blocked downpipes
  • Damaged gutters
  • Damaged rafters
  • Rotten wooden window sills

Any corners or edges of wooden structures where moisture or water can collect are vulnerable.

Once you have located the exposed wood, check for discoloration or split, cracked, or shrunken wood. When you lightly tap these areas, the wood might quickly fall apart; this confirms the presence of dry rot.

Additionally, be on the lookout for mushroom growth or a wool-like substance with a grayish color and characteristic fungal smell: this is the fungus that causes dry rot.

How do you get rid of dry rot?

Dry rot roof repairing can be done through a variety of methods.

You can fill in the holes left by dry rot with an epoxy filling, then shave and sand the filling down to preserve the structural integrity of your property.

You can also apply antifreeze directly on the dry-rot-causing fungus to kill it, preventing its re-occurrence, or coat the wooden parts of your roof with copper to prevent spread.

However, the best way to deal with dry rot in the long term is to hire a roofing professional like Elite Remodeling Services to do the job for you. Please do not attempt to DIY severe dry rot problems; contact us to fix the problem for you safely and efficiently.

Hiring a Professional to Help

The best way to prevent dry rot on roofs is to locate potential moisture sources and repair water leaks quickly. Always make sure your roof is properly sealed and painted, and that all wooden components are pressure-treated with preservatives that slow fungal growth every few years.

Have a professional roof contractor such as Elite Remodeling Services inspect your roof regularly to maintain its condition. Please schedule an appointment today by calling us at (952) 646-2480 today.

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