Wet and dry rots

Wet and dry rot treatment

What is wet and dry rot?

There are various types of wet rot fungus with the most common being Cellar Fungus (Coniophora puteana) However there is only one True Dry Rot Fungus (Serpula lacrymans).

These rots will break down the cellulose and hemicellulose which are the components that give wood strength and resilience.

Both of these rots will require the timber to be damp and have moisture content in excess of 20% to initiate the attack.

Some of the causes of these attacks can be:

  • Penetrating Dampness due to faulty rainwater goods or leaking roofs
  • Lack of ventilation will then in turn cause damp moist air being trapped within the property causing condensation
  • Rising and low level penetrating dampness and even leaks from water pipes

It is important to identify which rot is present as treatments to erradicate these rots are very different.