How Do I Prevent Dry Rot in the Future?

Once the dry rot problem in your crawl space has been dealt with, you need to consider investing in waterproofing solutions so that you never have to worry about dry rot in your crawl space again. 

Crawl Space Waterproofing 

Crawl space waterproofing is an important part of preventing dry rot due to how persistent dry rot can be. It’s capable of pulling in moisture from afar and the microscopic spores make it difficult for you to truly know if growth can be prevented. However, you need to remember that dry rot does not grow unless the conditions of the crawl space are perfect. 

Waterproofing solutions make it so that it is impossible for dry rot to get the moisture it needs to survive. When speaking to experts, a lot of the waterproofing solutions may seem excessive, especially for a crawl space (a part of the house nobody visits). However, crawl spaces are built partially underground, meaning that the foundation is constantly surrounded by groundwater, making it easy for the fungus to stay hydrated. 

Waterproofing Solutions 

To prevent wood rot in your crawl space, you need to be able to keep the moisture levels inside the crawl space as low as possible while also preventing water and water vapor from entering the space. For interior solutions, a sump pump and perimeter drainage system are necessary. With these two solutions, standing water will be a thing of the past in your foundation. 

To prevent moisture in the air, a vapor barrier can be set up in the crawl space. It’s a thick sheet made of polyethylene that can prevent water vapor from seeping into the crawl space through the concrete walls and through the soil. To keep the moisture levels as low as possible, a dehumidifier (which can be connected to the sump pump for easy drainage), is the cherry on top.