Dry rot is wood decay brought on by moisture. It’s caused by wood-digesting fungi, which thrive in damp, wet environments. When dry rot occurs, it can cause your roof to become discolored, worn down and cracked. If left unchecked, it can even cause parts of your roof to collapse, resulting in serious damage to your home.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent dry rot from affecting your roof. Keep reading to learn how to tell if your roof has dry rot as well as what you can do about it here, from our knowledgeable Colorado Springs roofers, and make sure to call Divine Roofing, Inc. for all your other professional roofing needs.
How to Tell If your Roof Has Dry Rot
The fungi that causes dry rot can release as many as 5 million spores a minute—in other words, this is a problem that spreads fast! After it rains or snows or your roof becomes wet for another reason, fungi spores can germinate on any wood with a moisture ratio of approximately 20%. Because of this, the first step to fighting dry rot is locating spots on your roof where wood my be exposed in the first place. This is often near your rafters, but could also be around your gutters, or by a plumbing opening.
Once you have located any exposed wood, you will want to look for discoloration, as this is the first key sign of dry rot. Wood that is split or cracked, or shrunken down may also be affected by dry rot. Once you have found any areas that seem to be affected, try lightly tapping them to make sure. If the wood starts to fall apart easily, you’re almost certainly dealing with dry rot.
You may also be able to find the fungus that’s causing the dry rot itself. Be on the lookout for a wool-like substance, or a mushroom growth with a grayish color.
How to Get Rid of Dry Rot
Holes left by dry rot can sometimes be mended with an epoxy filling. Once this filling has been shaved and sanded down, it should preserve the structural integrity of your property without creating a noticeable difference. You can also use antifreeze to get rid of dry rot-causing fungi, and you may be able to prevent the spread of dry rot by coating wooden parts of your roof with copper.
Of course, the best way to prevent dry rot is simply to make sure your roof is sealed and painted properly, and that all wooden components are protected from the elements. Here in Colorado Springs, we get an average of 57 inches of snow per year, so our roofers know firsthand how proper maintenance can help keep your roof safe. Call today to schedule an inspection, and let our pros at Divine Reroofing, Inc. help the wooden parts of your roof stay in prime condition.
To schedule an appointment now, dial (719) 497-1005, or click here to send us a message online.