Termite Damage Vs. Wood Rot—What You Need to Know
Wood rot and termite damage can look very similar. Before treating your wood damage, you need to know what the cause is for effective treatment.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Wood rot and termite damage can look similar, but they have very different solutions. Before treating your home’s wood damage, you need to know what has caused it to ensure treatment is effective.
Are your wooden walls showing signs of damage and decay? Are you noticing holes in wooden panels that weren’t there before? Chances are, you’re either dealing with wood rot or termite damage. But, before you treat the problem, you need to know which one is causing damage to wooden walls or structures.
If you’re not sure about the difference between wood rot vs. termite damage, don’t worry—
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is here to help. We’ll cover how to spot the difference between termite damage vs. wood rot, how to get rid of both types of damage, and whether your home insurance will cover the cost. Let’s get started!
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How to tell the difference between termite damage vs. wood rot
The first step to treating your damaged wood is figuring out what caused the damage in the first place. When it comes to identifying termite damage vs. wood rot, it can be tough to know which one you’re dealing with if you don’t know the difference.
Here are a few key differences between the two:
- Termites prefer wet wood. If your damaged wood is wet, there’s a greater chance you’re dealing with a termite colony and not wood rot. Termites only need the cellulose found in wood and water to survive, so they’re more likely to make a home in wet wood.
- Termite damage begins on the inside. While wood rot begins on the outside and makes its way to the middle of the wood, termites eat wood from the inside out. Termites damage wood by creating chewed-out tunnels that compromise the strength of the wood.
- Wood rot creates discoloration on the outside of the wood.
- Rotting wood is spongy, soft, stringy, and can break off in cubes instead of slivers. Wood rot is often accompanied by a musty smell, especially if it’s wet wood rot.
In some cases, you may be dealing with both problems at the same time because termites are drawn to moist wood that’s softened by decay.
How wood rot and termite damage are caused
Both wood rot and termite damage lead to total destruction of wooden structures if not treated early on, but both types of damage happen for different reasons.
What causes wood rot
There are two types of wood rot—wet wood rot and dry wood rot.
Dry wood rot causes
Dry wood rot usually occurs because of poor ventilation and excess humidity, creating an environment that’s perfect for the fungi that cause dry rot. Dry rot spores are constantly in the air, but they won’t settle into wood structures unless the perfect environmental conditions are present.
Wet wood rot causes
Wet wood rot occurs because the wood is constantly exposed to a direct source of moisture. Here are a few common culprits:
- Roof damage
- Plumbing system leaks
- Bath and shower trays
- Dampness penetrating the walls
- Condensation
- Blocked or leaky gutters
These sources of moisture can also cause dry rot, leading to widespread wood damage throughout your home if these problems aren’t addressed early on.
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What causes termite damage
Termites are attracted to moist wood, so if you have damp spaces in your home or you’re already dealing with wet wood rot, you’re at greater risk of termite damage. Termites also like wood that’s in contact with your home’s foundation because they can easily access it from the soil.
They’ll also take advantage of any cracks in your home’s structure to access wood. It’s a good idea to have a professional routinely check for termites if you have a wooden foundation, as detecting termite damage can be tough on your own.
MORE: How to find a roof leak quickly
How to get rid of wood rot or termite damage
Getting rid of termite damage or wood rot can be complicated depending on the severity of the damage. Let’s break down how to get rid of each type of damage and when to call a professional.
How to get rid of termite damage
If the termite damage is non-invasive, localized, and contained within the surface layers of wood, you can use wood hardener or sealer to fill in the cracks and seal off the oxygen from the colony, which will kill the termites and stop the damage.
If the damage is more advanced than a small, surface-level invasion, you should consider calling a professional. These professionals can identify how extensive the structural damage is, expertly remove compromised wood, add sealants, and rebuild wood structures that need replacements.
This is a tough job to do on your own and an important one to get right, so calling a professional is the best course of action for these cases.
How to get rid of wood rot
Wood rot that’s caught early on and hasn’t yet damaged the structure of your home can be fixed by sanding down the rotted pieces and adding a wood hardener or sealant to protect the wood from further damage. You should consider putting a dehumidifier in the area to eliminate moisture and prevent the rot from occurring again.
Similar to termite damage, if the wood rot is causing structural damage, you’ll need to call a professional. A professional can assess how serious the structural damage is and implement the next steps to fix your compromised wooden structures and prevent it from happening again.
Does home insurance cover wood rot or termite damage?
Generally, wood rot or termite damage are not covered by your homeowners insurance policy unless they’re a direct result of a peril covered by your policy.
Common perils covered by your policy include snow, fire, lightning, or windstorms. Unfortunately, flooding (which is a major cause of wood rot and termite damage) is usually not a covered peril.
On the other hand, your insurance provider is unlikely to provide coverage if the wood rot or termite damage is due to negligence or general wear and tear. If it’s determined the damage was preventable, your insurance won’t cover you.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for discolored wood, foundation cracks, musty smells, or any sort of moisture leaks in your home. Eliminating the cause of termite damage and wood rot quickly can help mitigate the cost of repair.
Additionally, every policy is different, so make sure you check your coverages and exclusions.
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Dealing with termite damage, wood rot, or both at the same time can cause quite a headache, but protecting your home from other kinds of damage doesn’t have to be.
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FAQ
Does wood rot attract termites?
Yes—unfortunately, if your home is damaged from either wet or dry wood rot, termites are more likely to find their next meal in your home’s wooden structures. Prevent wood rot and termites by eliminating any leaks or moisture in your home and putting a dehumidifier in damp areas, such as the basement.
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