Wood Rot Repair Dallas

The Problem

Like termite damage, wood rot can spread rapidly. Moisture penetrates your timber via cracks, holes, and gaps, often in plain sight. With a minimum moisture content of 20%, combined with the right temperature and oxygen levels, fungal growth takes place at the core of the structure. Decaying timber is a natural process in the forest; however, it’s not something that you want occurring at your home.

How Our Team Can Help

When you hire our expert wood rot repair team, you can expect their meticulous attention to detail to bring you the results you need. First, they’ll provide a detailed diagnosis by detecting the type of fungal growth you’re dealing with. It could either be dry rot or wet rot, which vary in their wood rot treatment. Dallas property owners should know that when left long enough, wood rot can destroy anything in its wake. Because the structure of your home is largely dependent on its wooden framework, repairing or removing damaged wood is crucial for maintaining safety and integrity.

Assessment

Once we have a diagnosis, whether wet or dry rot repair is required, there is a preparatory step, which involves removing all the damage to the wood before it can spread further. Also, if the material is soaking wet, it must dry first because we can determine how patching and replacing is needed. This drying phase is crucial in ensuring that the new material adheres strongly and that the integrity of the structure can be maintained. Once the affected area has dried effectively, our local professionals will assess the extent of the necessary repairs and proceed with the restoration process.

Our Solution

Depending on the level of damage, it is often more cost-effective to replace the wood rather than use epoxy resin. What's more, replacement ensures that the integrity of the structure is restored completely. The reason is that there is a two-phase process with epoxy repairs, starting with liquid epoxy, followed by moldable, sculpwood putty (or kneadable epoxy) to fill the missing wood areas. Afterward, it needs time to dry before it’s sanded down and stained. If you need a hand with the painting or staining process after we have sanded the structure, we are more than willing to assist in that process as well. Staining and painting your wooden structures regularly is key if you want to prevent wood rot from forming again in the future.

There are two types of wood rot that we may have to tend to during wood rot repair. Dallas handyman experts on our team are well-versed in wet and dry rot repair, so you can rest assured that regardless of the fungus causing deterioration on your structure, we have a solution for you. Let's take a look:

Dry Rot Repair: Dallas

The name "dry rot" is quite paradoxical because this type of wood rot develops not from dryness, but when the moisture content in the wood exceeds 20%. This is the brown variant—a member of the brown-rot fungi. It is known to be the most destructive and fastest-growing type. It consumes and breaks down the timber’s cellulose from the core, so the whole structure appears to be shrinking. The most dangerous area to have dry rot is in your attic, where attic joists provide structural integrity to your house. Outdoor areas include your crawl space, decking, and fencing system.

Though it may be difficult to determine if it's time for dry rot repair, Dallas homeowners are recommended to keep an eye out for these common warning signs:

• Surface cracks or holes
• Velvety texture
• Discoloration, faded colors
• Shrinking timber
• Musty smells
• Brittle and crumbling
• Cubical fracture

Dry rot is not something to overlook. It has the ability to compromise the entire structure of your home, especially if it devours load-bearing elements. During dry rot repair, Dallas handyman experts will look for any sources of moisture. The moist or damp areas need to be addressed promptly; otherwise, you risk the same damage from occurring in the future.

Wet Rot

Other types of wood-eating fungi include wet or soft rot, which, unlike the brown variant, grows slightly slower. Rather than aggressively attacking the timber’s lignin or cellulose, it gradually weakens it. In this case, using boric acid (as a type of fungicide) often works wonders. Typically, wet rot develops in areas of your home where there is poor ventilation. You will often find it in door frames, window sills, your crawl space, and attic, because these areas are always in contact with water.

Telltale signs of soft rot include:

• Dark brown stains
• Discolored, damp surface
• Damp smells
• Softened texture

To treat wet rot, our handyman professionals will identify where the source of moisture is coming from, and address any leaks or water intrusion. From there, once the area has completely dried out, we will remove the damaged wood and apply a fungicide to prevent further growth