Wood Rot
Groundworks' crawl space repair experts can tackle your wood rot problem, protecting your home against structural damage.
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Sagging, bouncy floors indicate a far more serious problem in your Southern Alberta home — wood rot. When fungi eat away at your floor’s joists, beams, and other structural components, these supports become unstable and put your home’s stability at risk. That can lead to costly repairs and jeopardize your family’s safety.
With the help of a crawl space repair and encapsulation expert like Groundworks, you can repair rotten wood and address moisture-related issues such as dampness, pest infestations, and musty smells.
Learn how to identify, fix, and prevent wood rot below.
What Is Wood Rot?
A damp, humid crawl space is the perfect breeding ground for fungi, which break down the cellulose in wooden components and cause them to crack and fall apart. This process, known as wood rot, can make your floors sag, bounce, and become unstable. When this happens, your foundation can weaken.
Compromised wood usually has a soft texture and dark appearance, indicating decay. However, many homeowners in Canada confuse wood rot with mold.
The best way to tackle wood rot is to act quickly. Neglecting this problem might result in more severe complications, such as floors caving in. A professional like Groundworks will identify the root cause of rotten wood, repair it immediately, and control moisture in your home.
What Causes Wood Rot?
Excessive moisture in your crawl space can attract fungi, leading to wood rot. Here are some signs of moisture problems in this area of your home.
- Pooled water or high humidity from water leaks
- Inadequate drainage and ventilation
- Cracks/openings along walls and vents
- Unsealed crawl space vents and broken access doors
- Air duct leaks
- Subterranean springs or elevated water tables
Fungal spores enter your crawl space through air ducts, vents, and other openings. When exposed to leaks, condensation, and other water accumulation, these spores can destroy wooden components and cause damage to your home. That’s why you need an effective moisture management solution!
Can You Fix Wood Rot?
The good news is that you can repair rotten wood and preserve your home’s foundation. For example, spraying fungicides and replacing decayed boards might fix minor instances of wood rot. That said, only a crawl space expert can resolve more widespread damage.
After repairing rotten wood, you’ll need to solve the issue that caused it in the first place — moisture in your crawl space. Our holistic approach to this problem involves creating an environment that discourages fungal growth. We’ll inspect your crawl space, identify the causes of moisture intrusion, and devise a strategy for long-lasting protection!
How to Fix Wood Rot
Successfully resolving a rotten wood problem depends on the condition of the attached joists and beams. We might recommend reinforcing wooden components or replacing them completely. In addition, our SettleStop™ IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks can stabilize and potentially lift your sagging floors and floor joists.
We’ll need to control moisture in your crawl space to prevent future wood rot. We can do this in the following ways:
- Conducting a crawl space examination
- Sealing off vents and replacing damaged doors.
- Installing an internal drainage system to catch leaking water.
- Positioning a sump pump at the lowest point of your crawl space to collect water.
- Laying drainage matting on your floor to move water toward the drainage system.
- Attaching insulation panels to walls.
- Encapsulating the crawl space with a vapor barrier that covers your walls and floor.
- Installing a crawl space dehumidifier to control humidity.
- Arranging annual maintenance checks.
Crawl Space Repair Solutions
Why Repair Wood Rot Now?
The sooner you act, the quicker you can prevent further wood rot issues:
- Avert Structural Damage: Early intervention can stabilize your foundation, increasing your family’s safety.
- Safeguard Your Property Investment: Protecting your home from wood rot as soon as possible preserves its worth.
- Avoid Expensive Repairs: Early treatment for wood rot can stop further damage to your house, saving you money in repair bills.
- Create a Healthier Environment: Addressing wood rot promotes a healthier living space by deterring pests and improving indoor air quality.
Contact Groundworks for a Reliable Wood Rot Solution
Wood rot in your crawl space can cause sagging floors and compromise your home’s foundation. Groundworks not only fixes rotten wood but completely controls moisture in your home, preventing further complications from fungal damage.
Contact us today for a no-cost inspection and estimate!
FAQs
Wood rot can happen in any crawl space with excess humidity and moisture. However, many Canadian homeowners ignore this issue until it causes significant damage. That’s why you should consult with a professional like Groundworks when you notice signs of moisture intrusion in your crawl space.
Rotten wood has a soft texture, dark appearance, and other telltale signs. However, many homeowners don’t check their crawl spaces often, meaning wood rot problems usually go undetected. We recommend looking for issues associated with wood rot, such as pet infestations, high humidity, dampness, and musty smells.
It all depends on the extent of the problem. Groundworks can give you an estimate for wood rot repair during a free crawl space inspection and suggest the best course of action.