Wood Decay, Rot & Surface Fungi is No Match for Puerto Rico’s Zimmetry Environmental

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - July 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Homes and many other types of buildings found in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean have long been constructed with a variety of materials, including wood.  Even most brick and mortar buildings contain a significant amount of wood and when properly maintained and protected, these buildings can last for centuries.

Termites and wood destroying insects have long been blamed for the destruction of wood in buildings, but they are not the only culprits.  Wood also makes for an ideal food source for many types of fungi. These fungi, commonly referred to as mold, can quickly begin to grow on or in wood materials when there is sufficient moisture and temperatures that are conducive for its growth.

Some types of mold are primarily found growing on the surface of wood.  This is commonly the case when there has been a water damaging event in a building caused by a leaking pipe, elevated humidity, a flooding event or storm damage. The mold may be easily visible and can cause staining. When mold is growing on the surface of the wood it may become aerosolized and cause indoor air quality and health concerns for building occupants.

Other types of fungi not only use the wood as a food source, but also cause decay by breaking down the wood fibers. “There are species that will attack living trees and others that will consume dead wood that has been used to construct a building,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “These wood decay fungi are classified based on the type of decay they cause.  The most well known types include brown rot, white rot and soft rot.”

Wood decay fungi can cause extensive damage and may not show visible signs of their presence for some time.  The damage can be severe enough to cause structural concerns.  In fact, some estimates have put the amount of wood required each year just to replace wood rot at approximately 10% of the U.S. annual wood production.

Zimmetry Environmental has mold and indoor air quality professionals based in Puerto Rico that provide testing and consulting services to identify all types of mold growth in buildings.  These services can help prevent structural damage and health concerns for those who may be exposed to high levels of mold spores.  To learn more, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental

Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting services.