Wood Rot
Wood Rot: A Hidden but Serious Threat Beneath Your Home
Wood rot doesn’t stay hidden forever. It starts in the dark corners of your crawl space or basement, feeding on damp, untreated wood, and slowly eats away at the structure holding up your floors. The result? Sagging beams, soft spots, and repairs that only get more expensive the longer you wait.
At Force Basements, we help Central Illinois homeowners stop wood rot at the source by fixing the moisture and foundation issues that cause it before the damage spreads any further.
What Causes Wood Rot?
Wood rot is a type of fungal decay that occurs when wooden structural elements (like beams, joists, or subflooring) are exposed to prolonged moisture. Common causes include:
High humidity in crawl spaces
Standing water or poor drainage
Leaking pipes or HVAC systems
Poor ventilation
Wet insulation or unsealed vapor barriers
Uninsulated ductwork producing condensation
Once rot sets in, it spreads — often silently — until wood loses its strength and begins to crumble or collapse.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Wood Rot
Rotten wood doesn’t just look bad — it puts your entire home at risk. Ignoring the issue can lead to:
Sagging, uneven, or soft floors
Compromised structural beams and joists
Mold growth and poor indoor air quality
Pest infestations (insects love decaying wood)
Dangerous crawl space conditions
Major repair costs if left untreated
The sooner you address wood rot, the easier and less expensive it is to repair.
How Force Basements Addresses Wood Rot
Our team thoroughly inspects the affected area, identifies the extent of the rot, and provides a customized solution plan that may include:
- Crawl Space Stabilizers to support weakened beams
Crawl Space Encapsulation to seal out humidity
Crawl Space Dehumidifier Installation for long-term control
Crawl Space Insulation to reduce condensation
We don’t just patch the wood — we solve the moisture problem that caused it.
Other Issues You Might Be Facing
FAQs About Wood Rot
How do I know if I have wood rot?
Common signs include soft or crumbling wood, sagging floors, musty odors, and visible fungus or discoloration in the crawl space.
Can wood rot be stopped once it starts?
Yes — but it requires removing the moisture source and either replacing or reinforcing the affected wood.
Will a vapor barrier or encapsulation stop future wood rot?
Absolutely. By controlling moisture and humidity, we can create conditions where rot cannot thrive.
Schedule Your Wood Rot Inspection Today
If you suspect wood rot, don’t wait. Contact Force Basements for a free crawl space inspection. We’ll identify the damage, stop the cause, and restore your home’s stability from the ground up.
Service Area
Force Basements proudly provides basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space services, concrete repair and egress window installation to homes and businesses in Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Springfield, the Quad Cities, Decatur, Quincy, LaSalle/Peru and surrounding communities.