To prevent dry rot it is important to remove moisture from your timber. This can be done by drying it up and ensuring that any timber is never overly moist.
There are many reasons why timber might become damp. Some common examples are leaking washing machines, bath tubs, showers etc. The dampness is often the result of moisture that enters the building from outside. As well as being susceptible to rot, wood timber can also become infested by woodworm.
This could include leaking roofs and rising dampness. If you can identify and rectify the source and allow your timber to dry out, the dry rot shouldn’t be a problem.
However, there’s no guarantee that damp timbers will stay dry in the long-run. Therefore, it’s important to take secondary measures to stop contamination from happening again.
If any timber is too dry, it should be taken down and replaced. Other timbers which are also at risk of dry rot should be treated with a fungicide Where dry rot has been present, it’s best to insulate & gas-sterilise the area.
Identifying
Dry rot is an invasive fungus that affects all kinds of buildings in different parts of the world. It’s best known for its ability to ruin wood in buildings & ships.
One of the most important aspects to determine is whether or not the rotting is due to dry rot or an type of fungus other than wet rot. For example, dry rot. This makes it so dry rot can pop up in multiple parts of a building all at the same time, which means these outbreaks can become very widespread.
A lot of measures need to be taken to combat dry rot, as it can be much more difficult for wood to cure. Speak to one of our preservation specialists for advice.
Tell Tale Signs of Dry Rot
- Wood expands, darkens and cracks in an “isocephalic” manner.
- The under-skin can be inconsistently coloured and often develop patches of yellow & lilac. These patches are typically found below conditions with less humidity. They can often be peeled away, just like the skin of a mushroom.
- White, fluffy mycelium typically forms during humid conditions. Drops may form on this type of fungi.
- When you see a strand, it means it is part of the mushroom’s mycelium. These are thin and brittle to the touch, with them breaking when bent. The fruiting body (the large circular bit) is like a pancake or bracket, with an orange-ochre surface that has small pores in it.
- When the reddish spores are visible around fruiting bodies, you are likely observing active decay that is producing a musty, damp odour.
If you think the timber in your property needs treating, contact us to arrange a survye.