Defending Wallington, NJ Homes with Expert Foundation Repair and Basement Waterproofing

Wood Rot: The Hidden Danger in Your Wet Basement

In the humid environment of a flooded or damp Wallington home basement, wood rot can quietly weaken and compromise your home’s wooden support structures. When wood moisture content levels in wooden joists and sill plates exceed 20%, any wood rot spores present will begin to grow, colonize, and digest parts of the wood.

• Dry Rot: Despite its name, dry rot actually requires moisture to begin its growth cycle. But once it starts, it can spread through dry wood so long as there is enough humidity. It leaves wood brittle, brown, and cracked into distinct block-like patterns (may also be called “cuboidal cracking”).
• Wet Rot: This occurs in timber that is consistently saturated or soaked. Wet rot typically stays localized to the damp area but it will eventually turn your support beams soft and spongy to the touch.
• White Rot: This fungus breaks down the lignin in the wood, turning it white or yellowish, and even leaving behind a fluffy white or yellowish growth that may resemble shaving cream. White rot leaves your wooden supports feeling soft or spongy like wet rot.

All three of these types of wood rot will leave your basement’s support structures damaged and weakened, possibly endangering your Wallington, NJ house and all who live under your roof.

But with the proper basement waterproofing or crawl space encapsulation, the humidity levels of your lower-level space can be kept under control. One way that Blue Umbrella helps ensure your home remains safe from wood rot is with an AprilAire whole-house dehumidifier that both keeps humidity levels under control and even filters the air for allergens, making your air even healthier.