Wood Rot – Two Little Words
March 1, 2008Two little words that spell fear and dread: Wood Rot!
It’s Wood Rot, and particularly the Dry Rot fungus (Serpula Lacrymans) that is least understood but can cause devastating damage once a foothold is gained. The main reason that people are so frightened of the words “Dry Rot” is because they are initially unsure of what is actually happening to their house, how it got there and what implication there is concerning the effect of value to the property. If the surveyor highlights the cause of the decay, the biology of the fungus and the remedial action required, the problem suddenly doesn’t seem quite as bewildering.
Wet and Dry Rot are species of fungus that initially need moisture to allow their airborne spores to germinate. Wood-rotting fungi cannot grow on wood with a moisture content of 20% or less. Thus the most important consideration for the homeowner is to be vigilant and prevent the ingress of moisture into the building. Scarcely a day passes without all of us being directly benefited or harmed by fungi. They are important in the slow but constant changes taking place around us. They are responsible for much destruction of organic matter such as food, fabrics, leather and of course wood, a major component in the construction of our homes.
Dry Rot can grow rapidly when conditions are perfect and, if water continues to ener a building unchecked, wetting internal timber, Wet Rot can also spread throughout over a short period of time.
A piece of timber (usually well hidden) can become infected with Dry Rot in two ways;
- By the germination of spores currently all around us (Spores being about 0.01mm in size – during an intense attack and undisturbed, 20,000 million are needed to cover just one square meter), and the subsequent invasion of the developing strands (hyphae)
- The spread of mycelium from a previously established focus of infection. Decayed timber develops a typical cuboidal cracking which is ofton on a large scale. The strands assume their real significance when the fungus spreads from infected timber over and through non-organic materials (plaster, brickwork, concrete) The fungus can then produce a mushroom-shaped fruiting body (sporophore) which in turn produces more spores. Tracking down the full extent of the growth is sometimes difficult but vital when trying to eliminate an attack.
One of the earliest and best documented accounts of the ravages of Dry Rot tells of the experience of the Royal Navy from the reign of James 1. In 1812 the botanist James Sowerby was aked to inspect and report on the Queen Charlotte. This ship, a first rater of 110 guns, was launched in 1810 and rotted so quickly that it was necessary to rebuild her before she could be commisioned!
The Naval commision recommended that all new timbers be “Seasoned in water to sucke out the sappe and after be dryed by the ayer and sonne played with bitche till thear be fit use of it” – Good advice even by todays standards!
What to do when you spot Wet or Dry Rot
Whatever you do don’t panic as the problem needs to be properly assessed – catching a problem early usually means a straight forward approach to remedial actions. Finding out the seriousness of the problem means calling in a trained proffesional. Some rots although they may look the same may need very different treatments. – a surveyor will be able to establish the extent of the damage, the source of infection and any remedial treatments that would be required.
To arrange a survey click here or call 0800 288 8660 to speak to your local Timberwise office.
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