How Dry Rot Can Affect The Roofing On Your Home And How To Get Rid Of It

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Roofing for the Here and Now The roofing industry has changed quite a lot over the years. These days, homeowners are rarely opting for the standard, 3-tab shingles that were so popular a few decades ago. Instead, they are going with architectural shingles, and in some cases, with even more eco-friendly options like green roofing or slate. Whether you're shopping around for a new roof or are thinking of having repairs made to your current roof, it pays to be educated. Learn the basics on this blog, where we discuss roofing in the modern world. We explore various roofing materials, roofing techniques, and how to find the right roofer.

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A serious problem you might encounter with your roof is dry rot. Dry rot is caused by a fungus, and it can spread when there is enough moisture on your roof. The fungus is destructive, so you need to take steps to stop the progression of the fungus and repair the damage it has caused. Dry rot can affect any type of residential roofing. Here are some signs to watch for, how to kill the fungus, and how a roofer might make repairs.

Signs Of Dry Rot On Residential Roofing

Dry rot isn't always visible since it can be hidden under asphalt shingles or clay tiles. However, when you lift the shingles, you might see the fungal growth on the wood deck. If the deck has rotted, the roof might feel soft or spongy and be at risk of collapsing. You might also notice a musty odor when you lift the shingles.

Since the fungus is activated when moisture is on the roof, you might suspect your roof has hidden moisture and a possible fungus problem if you see algae, dark spots, or moss on the shingles.

Methods For Treating Dry Rot

Getting rid of dry rot on residential roofing requires multiple approaches. First, the source of moisture has to be removed. This might include removing moss from the roof or fixing a roof leak. Next, the fungus has to be killed by applying the right chemical treatments. Your roofer can decide if killing the fungus is the right move or if removing the affected roofing materials is better. If needed, the roofer may tear off the old shingles and roof deck.

Roof Repairs That Could Be Needed

Besides replacing the shingles and deck to make the roof dry again, the roofer might need to repair parts of the roof that have rotted to make them structurally sound. This may need to be done in areas where the damage isn't too bad and the fungus has been sealed or killed.

Roof rafters might need to be repaired with wood filler or reinforced with sister boards. If the dry rot spread inside your home, you may need to hire other contractors to repair the attic or walls that were affected.

Dry rot is a serious problem for residential roofing once it spreads. However, dry rot is often a slow process. If you watch for signs of roof moisture and have your roof checked regularly, dry rot can be founded and fixed before there is extensive damage to your home.

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