How to Tell If T1-11 Boards Are Rotted or Have Termites

Signs of dry rot

• 1

  Feel the T1-11 boards for brittleness. Dry rot makes the wood extremely dry and brittle to the touch. Oftentimes, pieces of wood will crumble with a gentle touch.

• 2

  Look for white, cotton-like fungus growing in and around the T1-11 boards. The appearance of this type of fungus indicates the early stages of dry rot.

• 3

  Inspect the boards for mushroom-like growths. This indicates advanced-stage dry rot and fungal growth.

Signs of wet rot

• 4

  Feel the T1-11 boards for excessive moisture. Exposure and deterioration to excessive water causes wet rot and its damaging affects.

• 5

  Look for dark spots on the boards. Wet rot can be isolated to small areas. As such, you must keep a close eye out for dark and damp spots. Even a small area of wet rot can cause bigger problems down the road.

• 6

  Feel the wood for a spongy or brittle feel. Wood suffering from wet rot has a soft feel. The advance stages of wet rot causes brittleness and for the wood to break apart when handled.

Signs of termite damage

• 7

  Place your ear against the T1-11 boards and knock gently. Listen for a solid or hollow sound. A solid knock indicates healthy wood. A hollow knock indicates a possible termite infestation inside the boards.

• 8

  Inspect the ground for dead termites. An abundance of dead termites or the sight of several living termites climbing over your T1-11 boards indicates some type of termite infestation and possible damage.

• 9

  Feel the boards for brittleness. Termites continually eat away at the wood, compromising the structural integrity of the T1-11 boards.

• 10

  Look for small holes in the boards. These holes are the points of entry for the termites. A small amount of sawdust often appears near these entrance holes as well.