How to Distinguish Wood Rot From Termite Damage
If your home was built from wood, its structural integrity depends on whether the natural material remains intact and strong. So if you notice that the wood in your walls, floors, or support beams is losing its shape, changing color, crumbling, or looking like it’s starting to fall apart, it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible.
But before you know what you need to do—or, in this case, what kind of specialist you need to hire—you must define the problem. If you’ve noticed any of the above conditions, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with either wood rot or termite damage. But what? Here’s how to tell them apart.
What is wood rot?
There are two types of wood rot – wet rot and dry rot – both caused by fungi. Wet rot is common in warm, damp places and is usually visible from the outside. The fungi responsible for dry rot prefer temperatures between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and destroy wood from the inside while it appears dry on the outside.
What is termite damage?
Like the fungus that causes soft rot, most termites gravitate to warm, humid conditions because they eat the cellulose in the wood. Termites usually live in the soil around your home, and as soon as they gain access through a crack or gap in a wall or foundation, they start chewing on the wood inside your home. Like a fungus that causes dry rot, termites destroy wood from the inside .
How to distinguish wood rot from termite infestation
While they have things in common, there are a few key differences that will help you determine if you’re dealing with wood rot or termite damage. These include:
wood rot
- Wood feels soft or spongy
- Wood crumbles or turns to dust when pressure is applied
- Visible fungus or mold spores
- Swelling or discoloration of wood
termite damage
- Signs of true termites (such as a clicking sound inside the walls and dead winged insects inside the house)
- The wood sounds muffled when you tap or tap on it.
- Small holes in wood interior trim or wooden furniture
- Labyrinth tunnels inside a tree
Once you know what you’re facing, you can get the help you need to fix the problem before it gets worse.