Moisture Control Tips: 
PestMasters offers free inspections
for moisture control. Sign up today!
Determine the source of the
moisture:
2. Isolate the wood from the
ground
3. Install moisture barriers
4. Provide adequate ventilation
5. If necessary, provide chemical
control
6. Improve poor drainage
CRAWL SPACE MOISTURE CONTROL
Moisture
and fungi are problems that occur in many areas of
the United States. They can cause severe problems,
particularly in the Southeastern States and in coastal
areas.
There are basically
three types of fungi that attack wood. These include
the surface fungi, the staining fungi, and the decay
fungi. Surface fungi includes molds and mildews.
They cause the wood to have a powdery
appearance but do not cause wood decay. Although no
treatment is needed for surface fungi, they are an indicator
that the wood has absorbed an excessive amount of moisture
and that it is susceptible to the other wood destroying
fungi.
Staining fungi also
attacks the surfaces of wood. These fungi cause a gray
to blue stain that can not be removed from the wood.
They do not cause decay, but they increase the chances
that serious decay fungi will enter. They enter wood
cells and use the cell contents as a food source. These
fungi also indicate that wood has absorbed an excessive
amount of moisture.
Decay fungi actually attack the structural
portion of the wood and digest it. This results in decomposition
which make the wood less suitable for construction purposes,
or renders it completely unfit if decay is advanced.
Water must be present in the wood pores before wood
decay occurs. This means that the wood must contain
at least 20% moisture, depending on the specie of wood.
Wood absorbs moisture from condensation, rain, water
saturated soil, leaky plumbing, and other sources. If
the wood moisture content remains below 20%, then fungi
cannot survive. Protect your investment today
- Call Pestmasters!
PestMasters
offers
free inspections for moisture control. Our
trained inspectors will take moisture readings in
your crawl space and if necessary offer the appropriate
control measures including: Polyethylene Moisture
Barriers Temp Vent Automatic Foundation Ventilators
Tim-Bor or Bora-Care Treatments
Pest
Control Tips and Resources: 
