Wood Deterioration Problems in Single-Family Houses in Mobile County, Alabama

Of 517 homeowners responding to a questionnaire, 52 percent reported that they had wood damaged by moisture,decay, termites, or other insects. Moisture and decay accounted for 47 percent of all biological damage and for 59 percent of total repair costs. The incidence of termites has decreased in houses built after 1949– seemingly in response to increased use of soil treatments– but the frequency of wood decay has not lessened. Consequently, moisture/decay damage is both more frequent and more costly than termite damage in houses of recent construction. Fifteen percent of the houses built since 1970 had moisture or decay damage. Roof components were susceptible to decay, mostly, and eaves gutters offered no apparent protection. Problems in floors and walls were primarily due to both termites and decay.

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