Knockout Pest Control and Termite is best known in Fallbrook as a company that, as our name implies, rids homes and businesses of common pests, including termites, and fixes the damage they have caused. However, our company is also equipped to repair damage to homes that have been affected by dry rot.
Sometimes, customers will call us out to their Fallbrook homes or businesses for an inspection, thinking they have a termite problem. They may have noticed damaged wood, and assumed it was termites. To the untrained eye, termite damage and dry rot can look similar. When the problem turns out to be dry rot rather than termites, most pest control or termite control companies will tell you to call another company for repairs, but at Knockout Pest Control in Fallbrook, we are equipped to complete the repairs for you, saving you the hassle of finding another company to do the job.
What is Dry Rot?
Dry rot is the generic name given to certain types of brown rot fungus, and is not uncommon in the Fallbrook area. Dry rot breaks down the cellulose and hemicellulose in wood—the parts of wood that give it the strength and stability needed in a structure.
When dry rot has affected wood structures, the wood often has a darker color and appears deteriorated or cracked. Another telltale sign of dry rot is the accompanying orange spores that the fungus produces. You may also notice a damp, musty smell.
The name “dry rot” is somewhat of a misnomer. The fungus that causes dry rot does require some moisture, just not as much as is necessary for other types of fungi, in which an obvious source of moisture is usually present. Dry rot only needs moist conditions to begin the process of decaying the wood. After it has established itself, it only needs a moisture content of 20% or more to remain active.
Preventing Dry Rot in Your Fallbrook Home or Business
Controlling the amount of moisture that your structure is exposed to is the key to preventing dry rot. Make sure there is proper drainage around the perimeter of your building, and install gutters to divert water away from your home when it rains. Roof leaks and plumbing problems should be repaired promptly. You can also protect wood by making sure it is not exposed to moisture by making sure all wood is painted or sealed.
Dry Rot Repair by Experienced Fallbrook Contractors
If your Fallbrook home or business has wood rot damage, make sure you get it repaired by an experienced general contractor, since dry rot affects the sturdiness of wood, which can, in turn, negatively affect the sturdiness of your structure. At Knockout Pest Control, we employ our own licensed general contractor who oversees a team of experienced tradesmen. Our team doesn’t just replace the damaged wood—we replace it with materials that are similar to the existing materials in your home or business, and we finish them with paint or stain to match. Our goal is to leave your structure looking like there was never any damage at all!
If you suspect your Fallbrook home or business has a problem with dry rot, contact Knockout Pest Control as soon as possible. Dry rot can spread quickly, and the longer you wait to address the problem, the more damage it can do.
