Spring Floods and Water Leaks Can Result in Costly Property Damage due to Wood Rot Fungi

Wood is one of the most popular materials used to construct many types of residential and commercial properties. When properly maintained and protected, buildings made from wood can last for centuries.

As a natural material, termites and wood destroying insects have long been blamed for the destruction of wood in buildings, but they are not the only culprits.  Wood also makes for an ideal food source for many types of fungi. Fungi, commonly referred to as mold, can quickly begin to grow on or in wood materials when there is sufficient moisture and temperatures that are conducive for its growth. 

Some types of mold are primarily found growing on the surface of wood.  This is commonly the case when there has been a water damaging event in a building caused by a leaking pipe, elevated humidity or some type of flood. The mold may be easily visible and can cause staining. When mold is growing on the surface of the wood it may become aerosolized and cause indoor air quality and health concerns for building occupants.

Other types of mold not only use the wood as a food source, but also cause decay by breaking down the wood fibers. There are species that will attack living trees and others that will consume harvested wood that has been used to construct a building.  These wood decay fungi are classified based on the type of decay they cause.  The most well-known types include brown rot, white rot and soft rot.

“Damage from wood decay fungi can be extensive and visible signs of its presence may not be evident to an untrained eye for some time,” said Tom Allen of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “However, damage can become severe enough to cause structural concerns over time.  In fact, some estimates have put the amount of wood required each year just to replace wood rot at approximately 10% of the U.S. annual wood production.”  

Property owners and facility managers who suspect wood rot or other types of property damage has occurred due to natural or manmade causes can turn to the insurance and property damage experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters for assistance.  Their specialists provide policy holders in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with professional representation to be able to obtain the most accurate and complete settlement for all types of insured property damage.