How to Prevent Dry Rot Before It Destroys Your RV

Dry rot is a common RV problem that may cause serious damage to any RV. But most people don’t even know what dry rot on wood looks like—leading to expensive repair costs that could’ve been way cheaper if dry rot was spotted early.

If you love your RV and want it to last for decades, dry rot is a problem you should constantly try to avoid.

Spotting Dry Rot in Your RV

To most people, dry rot looks like termite-infested wood—soft, weak, and crumbly—but termites can’t easily infest your RV like they infest homes. Ladies and gentlemen, your problem isn’t a termite infestation but it’s actually dry rot.

Dry rot is a decay in wood that’s usually caused by an infestation of water-carrying fungi. Unlike other types of wood decay, dry rot feels dry to the touch since fungi cause decay deep inside the wood. It doesn’t matter if there’s no near water source, these types of fungi can transport water from far away places. Another cause of dry rot can be plumbing leaks and cracks that let rainwater in.

Here are the common signs of dry rot:

• Mushroom-like odor
• Deep cracks within the wood
• Damages in soft and hard wood
• White fungal growth with lilac and yellow tinges

It’s pretty hard to spot dry rot early on since it’s a type of decay that’s dry to the touch. But in the later stages, you’ll see the wood decompose, soften, and weaken. Yes, dry rot causes wood to lose strength and decompose, which can really destroy your RV.

Dry Rot Prevention Tips

1. Re-caulking the Roof Seams

One of the most obvious ways to prevent dry rot. This makes sure that no rainwater gets inside while you drive your RV around on rainy days.

2. Replace Plastic Vents With Metal Vents

This can help you prevent cracks and protect your interior from any water damage. You really should consider replacing those plastic vents with more reliable metal ones.

3. Have Your Windows Removed and Resealed

If your RV is at least a decade old, it may be a good idea to have its windows removed and resealed. According to reports, windows are a major source of water leaks in RVs.

4. Inspect Your RV Every Once in Awhile

Make sure to spot irregularities in your RV—especially around your door and windows. Re-tighten screws if needed and replace rusty or corroded ones as well. Look for water marks and signs of water leaks inside your RV as well.

5. Treat Infected Wood With Household Bleach

If you notice that your RV is already infected with dry rot, your best solution is to treat it with regular household bleach. It works like magic and you’ll effectively get rid of those nasty fungi. You may also choose to use commercial formulas as well.

Dry rot is a big problem that any RV owner should prevent. We hope you found these tips useful and, yes, dry rot can be easily solved as long as it’s detected early. Take care of your RV and checkout RV Part Shop for the best quality supplies!