Dry Rot: The Silent Cancer
- PCRE Inspections
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
When it comes to maintaining the safety and integrity of your multi-family building, few issues are as dangerous - and as overlooked - as dry rot.
Dry rot is the cancer of wood. It starts small - often hidden - but it spreads fast, silently eating away at decks, stairs, siding, and framing. Once it takes hold, it races through the wood, destroying strength and stability, and putting your tenants' safety at risk.
Left untreated, dry rot can compromise the very structure of your property and its elevated exterior elements (EEEs), putting both your building and its occupants at serious risk. California's SB 721 was implemented to help you catch this cancer before it has had a chance to spread to hazardous - or potentially fatal - levels.
What is Dry Rot?
Dry rot is a type of wood decay caused by certain species of fungi. It thrives in damp, poorly ventilated conditions and feeds on the cellulose in wood, breaking it down from the inside out. The name “dry” rot is misleading - moisture is required for it to start, but once the fungus takes hold, it can spread through wood and even across non-wood materials by carrying its own moisture.
Common signs include:
Cracked, brittle, or shrunken wood
A musty, damp odor
Orange or rust-colored dust (spores)
White, cotton-like growth on surfaces
Soft spots or hollow-sounding boards
Addressing repairs
Just like cancer, there's only once cure: complete removal of every infected area. Anything less leaves the disease alive and ready to spread again. The damaged wood must be replaced with resilient, exterior-grade, rot-resistant materials like pressure-treated lumber - designed to fight moisture, resist fungal attack, and protect your building for decades.
California’s SB 721 Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2026
Under California’s SB 721, multi-family building owners are required to have their EEEs inspected by a qualified professional by January 1, 2026. This isn’t just a bureaucratic hoop to jump through - it’s a safeguard designed to catch issues like dry rot before they cause catastrophic damage or injury.
If you manage or own a building with EEEs, now is the time to act. Waiting until the last minute could mean rushing the process - or worse, discovering dangerous conditions too late.
How Pacific Coast Real Estate Inspections Can Help
At Pacific Coast Real Estate Inspections, we specialize in thorough, unbiased SF 604 and CA SB 721 inspections that identify dry rot and other structural hazards before they become emergencies.
We know what to look for, where to look for it, and how to document it so you can take action quickly and confidently.
Our inspections provide:
Detailed, photographic reports
Clear descriptions of issues found
Practical recommendations for repair
Peace of mind that your property is safe and compliant
Don’t Wait—Book Your Inspection Today
Dry rot won’t fix itself, the compliance deadline looming, and repairs can take time. Whether you own a single building or manage multiple properties, scheduling your CA SB 721 inspection now will save you time, money, and stress later.
Contact Pacific Coast Real Estate Inspections today to protect your investment, keep your residents safe, and beat the January 1, 2026 deadline.
Comments