Home wreckers in search of moisture

Carol A. Clausen; Frederick Green

Treesearch

Home wreckers in search of moisture

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Carol A. Clausen, Frederick Green

Year:

2002

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

Techline FPL-II-5. [Madison, Wis.] : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, 2002: 2 pages

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Download (PDF 156 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/8590.pdf

Abstract

Research at the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) related to durability and disaster mitigation includes damage by decay fungi and termites and contamination by mold fungi. All these household pests are attracted to excess moisture, which can result from inadequate surface drying of condensation, leaks in pipes and foundations, poor ventila-tion, or flooding. Homeowners are increasingly concerned about moisture management and indoor air quality (IAQ). However, chronic moisture problems in a home can lead to more than poor IAQ—persistent high moisture can lead to a cascading biological succession from mold to decay to termite damage.

Keywords

Decay fungi, mold fungi, termites, household pests, moisture

Citation

Clausen, Carol A.; Green, Frederick. 2002. Home wreckers in search of moisture. Techline FPL-II-5. [Madison, Wis.] : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, 2002: 2 pages