Dry Rot (Serpula Lacrymans) and Wet Rot can cause serious structural defects in walls, floors and buildings in general. Left untreated Dry Rot wikll spread through out the building causing wide spread destruction.

In addition to the resulting damage it is also unsightly but it is also unhealthy. It can grow at an alarming rate in conditions of dampness and high humidity.

Dry Rot and Wet Rot are usually caused by dampness, running water, poor ventilation and bad maintenance or a combination of these conditions.

Dry Rot is the most serious of all wood rotting fungi. The  fungal decay requires water to penetrate wood which then allows bacteria and micro fungi to colonise resulting in the partial breakdown of the cell structure. The timber then becomes more porous and potentially wetter often being covered by mushroom type fungi. If the moisture content is sustained above 30% then Dry Rot can colonize and germinate which inevitably leads to decay.

Dry Rot spores can become airborne and this effectively means that all properties are susceptible to attack given the right conditions. Once established the fungus can spread rapidly, even though thick masonry walls actually penetrating a bick wall construction in search of timber. This can be potentially widespread and extensive damage if not treated at the earliest instant.

A wet Rot fungus is far less serious than Dry Rot however it can be found in situations where timber is in contact with wet walls. This could be in a situation of rising dampness where the joists are embedded in the effected wall.

Wet rot can nevertheless cause severe damage if allowed to go unchecked and is a common cause of structural defects. Wet rot is commonly found in timbers that come in to contact with leaks or defective rain water goods.  

 Wet Rot Damage