Fuzzy wood under front porch - InspectionNews

#1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 03:59 PM

What causes the wood to start deteriorating like this, a fungus?

tia

Bruce Breedlove · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 04:30 PM

High moisture levels in the crawlspace would be at the top of my list of suspects. And high moisture could lead to fungus growth (including mold).

Did you notice standing water or wet soil in the crawl? A plumbing leak? Improper grading around the foundation? Clothes dryer or bathroom exhaust fans discharging into the crawl?

Did you check the floor framing with a moisture meter?

Anyway, it appears that house will need quite a bit of floor framing repairs.

Rick Cantrell · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 04:35 PM

That looks bad, really bad.
I was under a house almost that bad about a year ago, within an hour I had a screaming headache and had to go home.

#4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

That looks bad, really bad.
I was under a house almost that bad about a year ago, within an hour I had a screaming headache and had to go home.

Funny you should mention the headache, I've taken 7 aspirin so far and my head is still pounding - the kind that gets you right at the base of the noggin at the back of the neck.

This was under the front porch, no crawl and plenty of ventilation.

Chip O'Brian · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 05:04 PM

And why do I wear N-95 mask in all attic & crawl spaces?

Rick Cantrell · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 05:17 PM

Chip
That's good advice, for all.

Greg D. Dames · #7 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 01:04 PM

Cannot be sure without testing but this could be "Poria Incrassata". The attached photo was taken off the web. NACHI has an article on the one in the photograph. Another name is "House Eating Fungus"

Looking at the photo that you furnished it almost appears that there is a tap root dropping down from the beam in low center of the photo. This is typical as the fungus draws water from the ground.

This stuff is bad news.

Avoiding Litigation: A House-Eating Fungus - InterNACHI
Greg D. Dames
Pacific Mold Assessment

Jon Randolph · #8 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip O'Brian

And why do I wear N-95 mask in all attic & crawl spaces?

I actually wear a 1/2 face respirator. You get a much better seal and the dust covers over the cartridges can be replaced. I also wear it in attics in old houses.

About $35 at the orange box.

Richard Rushing · #9 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 08:29 PM

It takes a while, but after a few years, the moisture damage from that fungii makes the wood as soft and brittle as balsa-wood.

Yes... that crap will turn your respritory system to mush also.

RR