Fight Against Wet Rot: Protect Your Basements and Crawl Spaces

Wet rot, or “Serpula lacrymans”, is a wood-eating fungus that thrives specially in old buildings. It feeds on wood and can cause significant damage to a home's structure, especially in basements and crawl spaces. This article explores the conditions favorable to the formation of wet rot and explains how proper waterproofing and effective encapsulation can offer a long-term solution to prevent and treat this threat. 

What is Wet Rot? 

Wet rot is a fungus that primarily develops in dark and humid environments. It feeds on the cellulose found in wood, which can, over time, seriously weaken a building's wooden structures. One of the characteristic signs of wet rot infestation is the presence of white filaments accompanied by brown or reddish spots on the infected wood. 

The fungus takes the shape of long strings called "rhizomorphs," which move in search of new wood sources to colonize. When it invades a building, it can cause severe deterioration, making the structure vulnerable and dangerous. 

Characteristics of Wet Rot's Ideal Environment 

High humidity: Wet rot requires relatively high levels of humidity to grow. Basements and crawl spaces, which are often poorly ventilated, are ideal environments for this fungus, especially in the presence of cracks causing water infiltration. 

Presence of wood: As mentioned above, wet rot feeds on wood, making it particularly dangerous in homes that have extensive wood in their foundations, beams, or floors. 

Basements and crawl spaces are often neglected in terms of maintenance. Their low level of ventilation, accumulated humidity, and presence of organic materials like wood make them perfect targets for wet rot. When water infiltration occurs in these spaces, humidity increases, creating an ideal environment for the fungus to thrive. 

In addition to the risk to the building's structure, wet rot infestations can also cause health problems. Prolonged exposure to mold and fungi can trigger allergic and respiratory reactions in residents. 

How to Fight Wet Rot? 

The key to fighting wet rot is to control humidity and improve ventilation in basements and crawl spaces. 

In fact, waterproofing the basement, is a crucial step to prevent water infiltration and excessive humidity. This includes:  

Repairing water infiltrations: It is essential to regularly inspect foundation walls to identify any cracks causing water infiltration. Repairing these leaks helps prevent humidity build-up. 

Installing a drainage system and sump pump: Installing drains like our WaterGuard system, as well as sump pumps such as TripleSafe or SuperSump, helps direct water away from the foundations, thus reducing the risk of excessive humidity in basements. 

In the case of a crawl space, encapsulation involves completely sealing this area to create a controlled, dry, and ventilated environment. This includes: 

Installing encapsulation membranes: Our CleanSpace system, which includes a drainage matting as well as a vapor barrier, covers the floor and walls of the crawl space, preventing moisture from penetrating. 

Dehumidification system: Installing dehumidifiers like the SaniDry Sedona in the crawl space helps maintain a low humidity level, thereby limiting mold and fungus growth. 

Prevent Rather Than Cure... 

Wet rot is a stealthy enemy for the structures of our homes, especially in basements and crawl spaces. By creating ideal conditions for its development, humidity becomes the ally of this fungus. However, by adopting a proactive approach with proper basement waterproofing and effective crawl space encapsulation, it is possible to protect the house sustainably from this threat. Preventing humidity and maintaining healthy, dry conditions in these areas are key measures to preserving the building's integrity and ensuring the safety of the occupants.