Wet rot & Dry Rot Treatments

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 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 team has many years of experience expertly identifying and resolving wet rot issues. Treatment, 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 also clear the subvoid of all debris, rubble and clear air vents. It is crucial to ensure good air circulation beneath a timber suspended floor.  The all round chemical treatment we apply is for the elimination and prevention of all wood boring insects, as well as wet rot and dry rot. Then new structural grade pressure treated timbers are installed if structural joists have been affected, or we reinstall new flooring/skirting after spraying. 

Dry Rot

Dry rot is the most serious form of fungal decay. It can spread despite no 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, 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 there is some moisture, perhaps a significant amount of debris and blocked air vents causing 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 also clear the subvoid of all debris and rubble. We remove stone sleeper walls and clear air vents. It is crucial to ensure good air circulation beneath a timber suspended floor.  The all round chemical treatment we apply is for the elimination and prevention of all wood boring insects, as well as wet rot and dry rot.

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 decades to come.

Our full range of carpentry services

Explore our full range of expert carpentry services. From comprehensive flooring and joist services, first fix, second fix, stairs, bannisters, lofts, and garden and decking, whatever your project we have the expertise to deliver outstanding results.