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What Causes Wet Rot and Dry Rot
Finding the source of your rot problem is key to making sure it is dealt with effectively. The main cause of rot is moisture in timbers. Wood destroying fungus feed off this moisture and as a result visible signs of dry rot or wet rot damage appear on the affected timber. Wet and dry rot spores will only develop and take hold of timbers if the environmental conditions are correct.
In order to prevent rot, it is essential that you fix ventilation issues and damp problems, such as rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation as they are the main causes of excessive moisture within a property.
What Causes Dry Rot?
Dry rot is a wood-destroying fungus that grows from moisture found in timber. For Dry Rot to start germinating, there needs to be excessive water i.e.
Dry rot spores are always present in the atmosphere. Once they land on timber, they will germinate and produce hyphae (fine strands of fungal growth), if under the correct environmental conditions. The impact of dry rot in your property can cause severe loss of timber strength and threaten the structural integrity of a building if not addressed.
How Does Dry Rot Develop?
Once the hyphae strands are formed, they join together to create a mass called Mycelium which can vary in colour from grey to pure white, and these strands grow into and across the damp wood. It can also grow over materials such as plaster, mortars, bricks etc... in it searches more timber.
When the growth is advanced a fruiting body (Sporophore) may develop. This fruiting body takes the form of a “fleshy pancake”, the surface of which is orange/ochre-coloured.
Signs of Dry Rot
Dry rot can be problematic to any property so it is essential that you identify signs of dry rot before further damage is done. If you notice the following then it could indicate a dry rot problem:
- Distinct mushroom smell
- White fungal growth with yellow and lilac tinges
- Deep cracks appear within the wood
- Both soft and hardwood timbers can be damaged
What Causes Wet Rot?
Wet rot is a form of fungus that affects very damp timber and can ultimately result in timber to decay. Thriving from a moisture content between 30% - 60%, wet rot can appear from a number a reason where excessive moisture is able to penetrate the timber, from a leak in the roof, an incorrectly fitted plumbing or a burst pipe.
How Does Wet Rot Develop?
Wet Rot requires the correct environmental conditions, the correct moisture levels and exposure to timber. Wet rot will use moisture in the damp timber as a source of food but will be limited to that one area unless the moisture source grows. Wet rot is limited to timber and can not spread through masonry and will stop once the moisture source has been eliminated.
Signs of Wet Rot
Wet rot in timber can cause issues with the structure of a property making it essential that you identify signs of wet rot before further damage is done. If you notice the following you may have a wet rot problem:
- Distortion, discolouration, softness and cracking
- Loss of strength to the timber
- Visible fungal growth - this may sometimes occur
- Smell - there may be a damp musty smell
Unsure Which Type of Wood Rot You Have?
If you suspect or are unsure whether your property could have wood rot we are here to help, our team of experts are experienced in the identification, removal and treatment of wood rot so you don't have to be.
We are long term members of the Property Care Association and Trust Mark and offer a 30-year guarantee with all our rot treatments. To get in touch with our team or to arrange a thorough rot survey on your property, give us a call on 0800 0121 437 to discuss professional rot treatment. You can also request a survey appointment online if you wish a trained surveyor to determine if you have rot issues.
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