Wet & Dry Rot

There are two primary types of timber decay generally referred to; they are Wet Rot and Dry Rot. These both develop in a similar manner and their life cycle process is also the same.

Dry and Wet Rot are usually caused by dampness, poor ventilation, high relative humidity and bad maintenance or a combination of these conditions. Dry and Wet Rot can cause major structural defects in buildings, particularly to existing timbers. It is unsightly and unhealthy and can grow at an alarming rate in certain conditions.

Fruiting bodies of the fungi release millions of spores into the atmosphere. They are omnipresent (constant everywhere) waiting for suitable conditions to germinate and If sufficient moisture becomes present, the spores will germinate initiating fungal development. From this point the fungi will use the timber as its food source causing the timber to deteriorate and eventually the timber will lose its structural integrity.

Dry Rot (Serpula lacrymans)

Dry rot is the more virulent type of wood rotting fungi and specialist advice is imperative in order to identify the fungus and determine its true extent and make recommendations in relation to the extent of the repairs required and the necessary specialist treatments.

To successfully eradicate Dry Rot you must initially eliminate the source of moisture. The works will normally involve the replacement of decayed timbers, removal of wall plaster to expose extent of decay and mycelial growth and the treatment of the wall structure by masonry irrigation and returning the area to a watertight condition.

Wet Rot (eg: Coniophora puteana)

Wet rot is a term of general classification covering all the wet rot species of decay, one of the most common being Coniophora puteana.

Treating outbreaks of Wet Rot is generally less involved than those associated with Dry Rot. The works will normally involve the replacement of the decayed timbers only, however it is still vital to ensure that the moisture source is eliminated or at least isolated from the timber.

Our fully qualified surveyors are able to identify the nature, type and extent of the dry or wet rot, identify the cause and source of moisture and recommend the solution with a full specification and the cost of the repair.

Our fully trained technicians will carry out the specialist work using only the safest chemicals available for the specific treatment.