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Newsletter
Wood destroying organisms update
By John Pignatore, RHI, CCI
Structural damages occur due to wood decay, especially in humid
regions of the United States, that is caused by wood destroying
insects, including termites. Moist damp wood will promote a wood
decaying fungus that causes rot. This wood rot can lead to serious
damages in framing members and is very costly to repair. Hidden
area should be inspected, as well as, areas that are subject to
moisture from rain, the soil, or from plumbing leaks. Poorly ventiliated
crawl spaces can have excessive dampness and lead to significant
structural damages from wood decay. Wood fungi will grow only in
wood that is subject to excessive moisture, it will attack the moist
wood like cancer and continue to grow until the moisture is removed.
Some fungi can conduct water up to 25 feet from the source. The
source of the moisture should be corrected and decayed lumber removed.
Inadequate ventilation in craw spaces can promote wood rot because
excessive moisture in the soil evaporates causing condensation.
If this condition is not corrected extensive wood decay can occur
within one to two years. Most building codes require one square
foot of crawl space opening for each 150 square feet of crawl space.
Proper grading of soil away from the foundation and proper control
of roof water runoff are also important factors for maintaining
a dry crawl space. In addition it may be necessary to install a
vapor barrier over the soil. This can be accomplished by installing
15 pound felt paper or polyethylene sheets.
Improperly installed insulation can cause wood decay as well. The
vapor barrier should be installed on the heated side of a room.
Amateurs occassionally will install rolled insulation over existing
insulation; this creates a sandwich effect, trapping moisture in
between that causes hidden damages.
Property
Inspection Specialist
is a full service residential and commercial property inspection
company. We conduct presale and prelisting inspections in the Richmond,
Tricities and surrounding counties.
For additional information on mold or any other areas of home maintenance
concern, contact us via phone, fax, or email :
804-270-6429 work
804-270-4491 fax
john@inspectionrealestate.com
wechk4u@comcast.net
Abbreviation Key
RHI = Registered House Inspector
CCI = Certified Construction Inspector
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