Fungus is a wood-destroying organism that will attack all grades of lumber. Dry rot is the end result of the fungus infection. The wood has a crumbling appearance and can fall apart in your hand. The cause of this condition is usually construction defects in the presence of an excessive moisture condition, such as damp crawl spaces, inadequately sealed earth fill porches or wood siding in direct contact with the soil in a planter or plumbing that is leaking directly on wood framing members. Moisture is the triggering factor. If you eliminate the moisture you control the fungus.

Some forms of decay fungi can cause serious damage to a house in a short period of time. Determination of the extent of the damaged lumber can be difficult for the untrained. A piece of lumber which has been infected will have lost as much as 50% of its structural strength. Treated lumber can be installed as replacement construction. However, eliminating the moisture and providing proper ventilation in crawl spaces is the most important aspect of dealing with this problem.

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