What Does Dry Rot Look Like?

There aren't many things sturdier than wood, but that doesn't mean this beloved building material is invincible. When wood comes in contact with water or moisture for extended periods, it may still fall victim to issues like dry rot. Dry rot is a byproduct of a specific fungus that can transfer from the trees outside to the wood in your home via airborne spores.

But what does dry rot look like, and how do you tell the difference between it and other wood ailments like wet rot? In this guide, we’ll explain how to spot, treat, and prevent dry rot and what can happen if you wait too long to fix the problem.

How to Identify Dry Rot

Dry rot looks like damaged or rotted wood, and you’ll often see orange discoloration on the surface. You may notice holes or large divots forming on the surface, peeling wood, and other signs of deterioration. Dry rot appears on wood that’s exposed to moisture for prolonged periods, so you may also notice that affected wood is darker in color than surrounding pieces or that moss and other plant growth is taking place on the wood. 

Brittle Wood

Unlike termite damage—which will hollow wood but won’t always alter the visible texture—dry rot makes timber look brittle and weak. You may notice holes in the wood, surface damage, chipping, or peeling as a result. If you’re not sure how to tell if your problem is dry rot—or something else like black or white mold, place the tip of a screwdriver on an affected area and gently apply pressure. If the wood punctures easily and then crumbles into small, cube-like sawdust afterward, you’ve got dry rot on your hands. 

Orange Dust

Changing colors is another feature of dry rot that you won’t find with wet rot. A dusty, orange color is the most common one you’ll get, but this fungus has also been known to produce shades like white, brown, and light or dark purple. By contrast, wet rot will darken wood, but it won’t produce a drastic color change. 

Musty Smell

A wet, mildewy odor accompanies wet rot, but dry rot’s odor is much more unique, with notes of earth and a mushroom-like smell.

Fungal Growth or Fruiting Mushrooms

Speaking of mushrooms, they’ve been known to pop up in severe cases of dry rot. What you’re more likely to find, especially in the early stages, is a fungal growth resembling a white film—it’s like a spider web but stickier, thicker, and often in places you’d never catch a spider.

Common Causes of Dry Rot

Wet and dry rot often get lumped together, and while there are some similarities, the underlying cause is a bit different. Wet rot is a result of mold after water damage, where moisture levels remain high after the initial exposure. Dry rot, on the other hand, will only form on moist wood, but once the infection begins, it can spread through dry wood. 

Dry rot is directly linked to a fungus called Serpula lacrymans, which can form on wood outdoors and track its way into your house without proper preventative measures in place. And it doesn’t only affect wood. If not spotted soon enough, it can spread to and infect your home at large—even the parts that aren’t made from lumber. 

Here are all the ways this fungus can sneak into your home. 

Forest Environments

The dry rot fungus is naturally found in densely wooded areas like forests, which means your home has a higher risk of becoming infected if you live in such an environment. What’s worse, fruiting mushrooms from the fungus release spores that are carried by the air through windows and any unsealed cracks or gaps in your home, despite your best efforts. 

Contact with Infected Timber

Bringing untreated timber into a home is the fastest way to infect it accidentally with dry rot. Even if the wood itself doesn’t appear infected, there’s still a chance it could be carrying spores with it. 

Use of Untreated Timber in Original Construction

Dry rot spores can remain dormant until activated—which means that they can be lying in wait in older homes that were built with untreated wood. If you suspect that this is the reason for your wood woes, hire a contractor near you to assess how deep the damage goes. They’ll be able to tell you whether the problem will be an easy fix or if it will require a complete structural overhaul. 

Warm Temperatures 

Although dry rot can activate at temperatures as low as 37 degrees Fahrenheit, it tends to prefer warmer conditions of 68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Prevent and Get Rid of Dry Rot

The best way to stop wood from rotting is to keep it dry. Dry rot and wet rot will only affect wood that gets wet or has a high moisture content, so maintaining a dry environment in your home through the use of dehumidifiers is ideal. If you ever experience water damage in your home from a flood or leaking pipe, hire a water damage restoration company near you immediately to dry everything out and begin repairs. This will mitigate the risk of dry rot setting in.

If you already have a dry rot infection, you can take a few steps to remove it and stop its spread.

• Treat early infections with fungicide: If the dry rot is still relatively contained, use a fungicide with borate to stop it in its tracks.

• Remove and replace infected wood: You’ll need to remove wood that’s past the point of no return as quickly as possible to avoid contaminating the rest of your home. 

• Hire a specialist: Extensive rot is a problem that requires help from a professional. For minor issues on decorative wood, call a local handyman service. For more extensive problems or dry rot on structural components, contact a water damage pro who fixes wood rot.