If you have a wooden fence, you probably already know it takes a lot of maintenance to keep it looking good. This is because wood is prone to many types of damage if it isn't well-protected. If you have a wooden fence, wood rot is a real threat, so if you want to protect your investment, check out these commonly asked questions.

What Are the Types of Wood Rot?

Wood rot includes dry rot and wet rot, and fungi causes both. Many types of fungi may cause wet rot, and it is more common if a lot of moisture is present. This fungus prefers wood with a moisture content of at least 50 percent. Dry rot, on the other hand only needs about 20 to 30 percent of moisture to begin to germinate.

Unlike wet rot, the Serpula Lacrymans fungi only causes dry rot, and it doesn't just stop with timber. This type of fungus is extremely aggressive and can spread across your fence. If spores make it inside your home or to other materials, they can spread the rot.

What Are the Signs of Dry Rot vs. Wet Rot?

Dry rot often comes with cracking timber. Your fence boards may start to split, crack, or even shrink after exposure. In some cases, however, the damage is below the surface of the fence so you can't even see it. As the fungi spreads, it may promote yellow or grey mycelium. Eventually, you may even see fruiting bodies that can expel even more spores.

Wet rot may also cause shrinking and cracks, but the wood is usually soft and damp. You also might notice a musty odor. Mycelium strands aren't as common as with dry rot, but they may begin to sprout if left untreated.

Which Type of Wood Rot Is Worse?

Without a doubt, dry rot is almost always worse than wet rot and needs treatment as soon as possible. Luckily, the reason dry rot is so bad isn't because it can make you sick. Dry rot is terrible because it can drastically impact your wallet.

The fungal infection can spread to just about any material, so it may not stay on your fence. It can attack your deck, patio, and, if it gets inside your home, carpets or drywalls. This leads to expensive replacement and repairs throughout your entire home.

How Can You Prevent and Treat Wood Rot?

One way to prevent wood rot is by making sure you have minimal moisture, which starts with finding the cause of the excess moisture. For example, your fence may have exposure to lots of standing water if your yard can't drain properly.



By fixing this, you may prevent wood rot before it even starts. You can also better protect the wood from rot by ensuring it has proper paint or stain to create a moisture barrier.



If you have wet rot, once you find the source of the moisture, fixing the problem mostly involves using fungicide to kill the fungus causing the rot. Dry rot, on the other hand, may require a lot more attention. You may need to fully remove any affected wood, which can become expensive. You may also need to use a fungicide to kill any remaining spores.



Wood rot can affect any piece of wood, as long as moisture is around. While both are frustrating and require immediate attention, dry rot can be more aggressive and may spread to other parts of your yard or home. If you would like to know more about root rot and other risks for your wooden fence, contact us today at Duke Fence Co., Inc.