Like a patch of rust on your classic Porsche, dry rot can damage wood. And, unfortunately, many people who own antique wood pieces are unaware of how to prevent it from destroying their wood, or even how to detect the signs that dry rot is forming.
As the owner of the Grass Valley, California branch of Furniture Medic, a furniture repair and restoration company, Danny Walker knows all too well how detrimental dry rot can be to your wood furniture. Here he explains how it forms, and the symptoms you should look out for next time you go antique shopping or are cleaning the pieces you already have.
What is dry rot?
Dry rot is actually when different types of fungi begin to weaken wood by eroding its strength, sturdiness and sheen.
What causes dry rot?
If you are familiar with wood care, then you know that water is often a major cause of damage because of the effect that moisture has on wood’s quality. And in the case of dry rot, water is the culprit as well. Dry rot starts to form when wood is exposed to too much moisture over an extended period of time. This is another reason why it is so important to keep your wood furniture in areas where the room never gets too hot, or where moisture is often present, like a bathroom or basement.
How can you tell if a piece has dry rot?
There are a few simple indicators to look for, explains Walker. For one, if wood has dry rot, then it will be significantly lighter than you would expect it to be. So, if you can pick up an oak bench with ease, then that’s a bad sign. You will also notice that the inside of the wood looks dried out and that the wood looks cracked and easily flakes off into small pieces when you run your hand across it.
Can it be treated?
While the best treatment is of course prevention, there are still ways to save your wood furniture once dry rot has started to form. The most effective method is using specialized fungicides when you are having a wood fixture built or repaired by a professional, or when you are maintaining a wood piece yourself during routine cleanings.
While the beginning stages of dry rot doesn’t have to mean the end of your favorite piece, if left untreated dry rot may eventually ruin wood beyond repair. If you are unsure of why your wood looks brittle, or aren’t confident that you can rectify the problem yourself, consider calling a local repair and restoration company like Furniture Medic in your area.
