Wet rot is a type of timber-eating fungus that can occur in buildings with unprotected timber elements. The wet rot feeds on moisture from within the timber, but can also affect other materials such as plaster, wallpaper, and carpets. Whilst it can often be less destructive than dry rot, it is still very important to be treated as it can affect a buildings’ structural integrity.

Wet rot & Dry Rot

Wet rot types

There are two main types of wet rot, white rot and brown rot. Sometimes the decay can take a whiter looking appearance due to the bacteria consuming lignin, and this results in white rot. It gives the timber a spongy soft feel, and compromises the timber’s strength.

Brown rot takes a darker appearance, often closely matching the timber colour itself. Brown rot occurs when the fungus does not ingest the lignin, but the resulting effects are the same. Both white rot and brown rot affect the timbers strength and structural integrity.

Wet rot causes

The primary reason wet rot occurs is due to excess moisture within the timber over long periods causing it to soften. The moisture itself can originate from different sources, such as roof defects, plumbing leaks, or penetrating damp through walls.

Signs of wet rot

Often diagnosing wet rot can be difficult as the symptoms are similar to dry rot. Common signs that might indicate wet rot include darkened timber, soft or spongy timber, cracked appearance, a fungus growth, or a damp musty smell.

Fix your wet rot problem

Our carpentry team includes expert carpenters and flooring fitters. Our team has many years of experience expertly identifying and resolving wet rot issues.

Dry Rot

Dry rot is the most serious form of fungal decay. It can spread despite any moisture being present as it can generate its own moisture through the process of digesting timber. Once dry rot spreads, it can severely damage the structural integrity of the building.

There is only one type of dry rot fungus. Its scientific name is Serpula Lacrymans. 

Visible signs of infestation can be as follows:

  • fine & fluffy white mycelium that spreads across the surface of the timber 

  • a grey-whitish ‘skin’ with a yellow tinge and lilac patches

  • fruiting body – mushroom like, soft, fleshy and commonly with an orangey, rusty coloured centre.

  • dust from the spreading spores can also be found around the fruiting body usually red in colour

Fix your Dry Problem

Dry rot spores naturally occur in our atmosphere but are only a problem when they settle in favourable conditions to germinate such as an unhealthy suspended floor cavity where high moisture levels and poor airflow can be an ideal environment for the fungus to flourish. 

Treatment, as with wet rot, should only be carried out once the root cause has been identified and resolved. The extent of treatment will depend on the severity of the infestation but would usually involve the removal of affected timbers and chemical treatment of surrounding brickwork and other materials.

We take additional precautions by only installing new external grade timbers that have been pre-treated with wood preservatives eliminating any possibility of further infestation by either wood boring insects or any type of fungus. So you can rest assured your property will be safe and protected for generations to come.

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