Water damage happens to a piece of wood when it s constantly in contact with moisture rain water or the ground.
What does water damaged wood look like.
Piles of swarmers wings and termite frass are the most evident signs of infestation there.
The stains on the floor look to me like a mix of wood rot and fungal damage that may have been sanded without repair and even re finished.
Chaetomium mold is usually found in a damp or leaking roof basement or sink and may be recognizable by its musty odor.
Insulation wood studs plywood sheathing and subflooring can all degrade rot or develop mold when they re repeatedly saturated with water.
The wood acts like a wick and sucks the water into the cells within the wood.
Outdoor wood piles or timber infested by termites will look like they ve been completely carved and tunneled through.
Chaetomium has a cotton like texture and usually changes colors from white to grey to brown and eventually to black over time.
Look for damage along the grain of the wood or sections that are missing.
Learn more about subterranean termites.
Building materials and water don t mix.
In some cases wood shavings may appear and wood will be left looking rather splintered.
Some people also call this pocket rot or dry rot.
What does termite damage look like on wood.
If you can t remove a piece of wood inspect your property for wood that crumbles easily or wood that sounds hollow when your tap on it.
Getting the help of a wood floor water damage repair company can also guaranteed that any and all problems are addressed and do not return.
Inspect window frames and doorways.
However unlike major water leaks or broken windows rotting wood can easily escape notice unless you specifically look for it.
And unfortunately like kudzu or a spot of rust on a car wood rot can spread far and wide making it especially dangerous to your home s wooden building materials.
On a wood table water spills wet glasses or vases and hot dishes can leave behind unsightly white marks and rings when the moisture seeps into the finish.
This is often confused for water damage.
I add that without an onsite inspection or a physical sample of the light yellow material seen in the flooring gaps i can t say if the material is fungal remains or wood filler perhaps used to fill in.
Chaetomium is a mold commonly found in water damaged homes and buildings.
Best methods of treatment and diy methods.
If you find damaged wood look around for termites which are pale yellow in color and have soft bodies.
All in all any sign of water damage in your hardwood floors should be addressed immediately to make sure they stay nice and continue to look good in your home.
Once the cells are overloaded and can no longer absorb moisture the cells explode and the wood becomes water damaged.
