DRY
ROT
Dry rot is such a feared property problem because it is an aggressive form of fungal growth that can cause serious degradation to any wood or timber it comes into contact with. Given the serious nature of dry rot problems, we have prepared this simple guide to explain what dry rot is, understand what causes it, learn how to identify potential outbreaks, and help you act quickly to treat any problems.
DRY ROT SIGNS
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- Wood affected by dry rot will lose its structural strength and even wood far from the damp source can be attacked.
- Dry rot will cause obvious cracks to appear along and across the grain of the wood which may show mycelium growth being evident on the wood.
- The fungus mycelium appears white like cotton wool when fresh and goes to a grey colour when older. It can grow through the mortar beds of masonry walls to seek more timber to colonise.
- Dry rot fruiting bodies give of a red spore dust.
- Dry rot germinates on damp timber which has over 20% moisture content and wet rot germinates at higher levels of moisture content.
Thankfully, dry rot does not need to be the “property killer” it is often portrayed to be. A dry rot treatment programme carried out by an experienced and qualified expert can eliminate the problem and the earlier you can identify dry rot the more simple and cost effective treatment becomes.