Q. We bought our home 1.5 years ago and the professional inspection said there was no dry rot anywhere in the home.  We are now selling our house, and an inspector has said there is a lot dry rot.  Could this have happened in the 1.5 years that we've lived here?

Submitted by: A

A. Given the right conditions dry rot is able to establish itself very quickly - so yes it could very easily appear in 1.5 years. For dry rot to develop and sustain itself there has to be a source of moisture which is usually a leak so have you had any such event that may have caused it?

On the other hand the inspection 1.5 years ago may have missed it - or the most recent diagnosis may be wrong - or at best the most recent inspection exposed long dead and historic dry rot that the previous inspection missed. If it was rampant and active you would know about it as it is very destructive and it would make its presence known.

When you purchased the property had it been the subject of a recent re-development? Sometimes developers will cover up or disguise dry rot - sometimes intentionally - sometimes in ignorance. Have you had a second opinion? Have you asked the company back who looked at it 1.5 years ago for their opinion? If you have'nt done so already - You should.

Keep us posted.