QC - Structure Damage

Structure Damage

What is fungus and what does it do?

Fungus attacks organic materials such as paper, books, cloth, photographs, and leather. Fungus grows from spores, which are everywhere in our environment. Usually these spores are inactive, but they will germinate when the relative humidity exceeds 70 percent. Temperatures above 65 degrees increase the likelihood of fungus growth.

Moisture is your homes main enemy. Without proper ventilation or the lack of sunlight, many wooded areas of your home can be susceptible to fungus growth. If fungus is unattained for too long, it will start to breakdown the cellulose in the wood that holds up your home or your patio.

Is dryrot different than fungus?

Dryrot is a result of fungus, to a point. Dryrot happens after fungus has affected the area and has since dried out. During the time of fungus infestation, the area of wood was being broken down little by little until circumstances occurred that dried out and terminated the infestation. The ending result to the selected area is dryrot (structurally weakened wood).

Where do I look for dryrot or fungus?

Dryrot and fungus can be found almost anywhere on the exterior of your home if conditions allow. Look for areas commonly shaded for most of the day, areas in potentially direct contact with water (areas by sprinkler systems, swimming pools, etc.). Other areas to look for are window frames and bottoms of patio posts.

In the interior of your home, look for area around sinks, toilets, and showers.

How do I prevent damage to my home?

Preventing damage to your home starts with regular maintenance procedures to the interior and exterior of your home. You may wish to do this yourself or you may hire a certified home and/or termite inspector to do the job for you. In most cases, these inspections are free of charge and most inspections are valid for a year.