In the course of their everyday work our surveyors come across many different types of decay that attack the timbers of properties both old and new. Here we have some pictures of some less common wet rots in the form of brown and white rot.
Brown Rot (Paxillus panuoides)
This brown rot targets very wet soft woods and spreads over damp timbers. Brown rots destroy cellulose in the timber and cause a darkening of the decayed timber. The photos below show the brown rot in situ and the fruiting body in greater detail.
White Rot (Donkioporia expansa)
This rot feeds on hardwoods such as oak and digests cellulose and lignin within the timber. This results in a lightening of the decayed timber. All species of wet rot require relatively high moisture levels in timber (above 30%) for growth. Unlike dry rot, wet rots will be restricted to areas where there is a high moisture content.
Action to take if you believe you have wet rot
Wet rot treatment can usually be carried out by firstly removing the moisture source and secondly drying out the surrounding fabric. This prevents further spread of the rot. Where any affected timber has lost its strength the timber needs to be replaced with new timber that is treated against the potential germination of wet rot spores. This ensures the structural integrity of the building. Specialist wet rot treatment is then required to finish off the process. This generally involves eradication through chemical spray and other wet rot treatments. To arrange a survey for wet rot call our team on 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line wet rot survey request form.
Here we have a photo case study from one of our surveyors that highlights the dangers of ignoring leaking bath and shower seals. An insurance company contacted Timberwise Cheltenham to visit a property that showed signs of dampness and fungal decay.
From the initial survey it was very apparent that the water leak had on-going for some considerable time (between 6 and 9 months) which had allowed plenty of time for problems to occur behind the scenes. Damage had taken place to the master bedroom floor, bathroom floor and landing floor as well at the kitchen ceiling below. Wet rot was found in parts of the property as a direct result of the water ingress allowed by the faulty bath seal. The Wet rot known as Coniophora puteana is one of the most common forms of decay found in the UK and occurs when wood has become soaked through water leakage.
All the Wet rot infected timbers were replaced and precautionary treatments applied to the remain timbers. The pictures below show the devastation that was caused:
With the bath removed the damage caused by the Wet rot is clear to see. Black mould can also be seen on the wall.
The chipboard floor has lost any strength it had as a result of the water damage.
The landing floor is ruined as is the plasterboard partition. More black spot mould can also be seen.
What should you do if you suspect a leaking bath / shower seal?
Ideally you must sort the seal out as soon as possible to avoid a water ingress and Wet rot problem as seen in the photos above. To help, below is a handy video showing the correct way to seal a bath to make sure that you stay leak free!
Do you have a Wet rot problem?
If you suspect Wet rot in your property don’t panic! Timberwise are experts in treating properties that have been subjected to dampness and Wet rot. To arrange a survey from one of our timber surveyors simply complete our on-line survey request form of call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660.
Timberwise Llandudno in North Wales were recently called upon to advise on fungal decay found within an historic hotel in Beaumaris, Anglesey. Upon carrying out a survey wet rot fungus (also known as Coniophora Puteana) was discovered in a bay window area. The extent of the wet rot was such that the timbers in the bay had been structurally weakened – potentially this could have lead to the bay dropping into a seating area below. Wet rot is one of the most common forms of decay in woodwork and tends to occur when the wood has become soaked by water leakage at some point.
Treating the wet rot
The Timberwise solution to the wet rot problem involved providing a caged area to the seating area beneath the bay and then erecting a safe scaffold working platform to the underside of the propped bay. The decayed timber was removed from the bay and new timber sections added in their place. The floor area was then replaced. The pictures below show the hotel (the bay can be seen in the middle). On the second picture you can clearly see the the wet rot attacking the cantilever timbers supporting the bay window. The final picture shows the bay with damage caused by poor ventilation coupled with dampness from external water ingress.
What should I do if I suspect I have wet rot?
If you believe you have wet rot in your property don’t panic! For an expert diagnosis of the fungal decay simply call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660 or complete the on-line wet rot survey request form.
A couple of photos today from one of our Manchester surveyors that show an attack of Wet Rot. Typically Wet Rot is is not as difficult to eradicate as Dry Rot it can cause major damage within a property if it is allowed to go unchecked – this then can result in structural defects. In the case of the property below a leak from a sink lead to water spreading between the hardboard sheeting floor and the original timber floor in the utility room. The resulting conditions of moisture and the presence of wood provide the ideal breeding ground for Wet Rot spores to germinate.
The tell tale signs of Wet Rot
Typical signs of Wet Rot are white or fern like growths (Mycelium). Where there are no obvious signs of Mycelium growth Wet Rot can be identified and differentiated from other funagl decay (such as Dry Rot) by the different colour of the decayed timber as well as by the size and type of cracking of the timber as a result of the Wet Rot.
The damage to the timbers and the still wet walls are clearly visible
Close up of timbers infected by Wet Rot
Treating Wet Rot
It is vital that a specialist in timber decay is used to identify the type of fungal decay and to specify the the correct Wet Rot treatment forthe property. In the case of this property the source of the water ingress was identified and the leak rectified. The area was then dried out and the infected flooring (timber that has lost it’s strength) was then removed. The floor and joists were also replaced with timbers in the immediate area also chemically treated to ensure the Wet Rot was truly eradicated. Further information about Wet Rot can be found on our Wet Rot page or you can speak direct to your local Timberwise office for specialist Wet Rot advice on 0800 288 8660.
White Rot (Donkioporia expansa)
