Let’s start at the beginning with what really causes deck wood rot and then we will get into some things you can do to prevent the rot in the first place. Once you are able to find the root cause, then when you complete all of the repairs you will not have to worry about the problem recurring.

Dry Rotting of Deck Wood

The term dry rotting is actually a bit deceiving when you think about the fact that the rotting actually is caused by the excessive amount of moisture that gets into the wood. This excess moisture creates the perfect condition for the growth of a fungus inside the wood fibers. The growth of this microorganism is what actually causes the damage and gives the wood the dried-out appearance. It also weakens the wood and makes it far less strong and able to support the deck structure.

How to identify whether your deck wood has dry rot?

Dry rot has a grayish appearance and covers the wood of your deck with a mold in sheets. To the untrained eye it may also like a termite or other insect infestation, so to know for sure, you should call in an expert that will be able to identify the difference. If it turns out that it is, in fact, dry rot, you will want to inspect the area around the deck for signs of water leaks or pooling of water. There could even be an issue with the guttering or eaves allowing water to get on top of the deck to cause the damage.

It is also important to check for areas that the wood of your deck and the ground soil come in contact with each other. This would be a breeding ground for the fungus that causes dry rot and ensures that the lumber you use is pressure treated to prevent them from rotting in the first place. Once you locate the areas of concern, repair or replace the damaged wood, and have your deck all back together, preventing it from happening again is key.

Preventing Dry Rot From Destroying Your Deck

Preventing the possibility of future dry rot to your deck should be paramount since you have already discovered how much it can cost to do the necessary repairs. It is not nearly enough to just identify the causes of the original dry rot, you have to figure out the best way to stop the moisture from getting to the wood of your deck.

If you have trouble with water pooling along the foundation of the house, you should at ways to change the grade of the ground in order to draw the water away from the foundation. If you have water pooling it could be from the guttering and that could mean leaks from bad seams or joints. Once you have resolved the excessive water issues then you should be safe from having to deal with dry rot again.