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Dry Rot (Serpula lacrymans)

Dry Rot and Wet Rot are wood destroying fungi which attack timber in order to extract food to maintain growth and the generation of spores. Affected timber exhibits significant loss of weight.

In buildings the result is the deterioration and ultimately destruction of the timber with serious consequences in the case of structural sections.

The problem affects all types of property, historic or modern. Dampness combined with lack of ventilation provides the ideal conditions for fungal attack.

   

Dry Rot (Serpula lacrymans)

The true Dry Rot fungus is the more serious requiring fast specialist action to avoid extensive damage. It is malignant and will spread even through thick walls in search of timber to attack.

Timber affected by dry rot  is brown, dry and brittle with cuboidal fractures and can be crumbled by hand.

It requires a high level of moisture for spore germination.  When dry rot occurs, fine greyish web like strands develop from the spore spreading to form mycelial growth which varies from grey to pure white in wet conditions.

Sporophores or fruiting bodies give off millions of spores in the form of red dust.

   
      
          
 

Wet Rot (Coniophora puteana)

Wet Rot is a common cause of structural defects. It requires a moisture content of 50 to 60% but it does not spread through masonry and growth ceases when the moisture is removed.

Treatment

Special low odour micro-emulsion preservative fluids are applied by spray, brush, or in paste and gel form. Our skilled joiners can replace defective timbers including flooring, structural and ornate sections.