What Is Wet Rot?
Moisture between 30-50% can cause wood to naturally rot, which is known as wet rot. This is distinct from dry rot, which is seen in wood with a moisture content of 20% or lower.
Wet rot is caused by a fungus, Coniophora Puteana, commonly known as basement fungus, that is attracted to damp wood and feeds on it, ultimately destroying it. There are multiple species of wet rot fungus, but this one is the most common.
Wet rot is less detrimental than dry rot as it is confined to a specific, damp area and does not spread. Nonetheless, wet rot can be just as damaging as dry rot, and, if neglected, can profoundly weaken structural timbers and cause substantial structural harm.
Typical Causes Of Wet Rot
To effectively tackle wood rot, it is essential to determine the source. The most frequent trigger is dampness in the timber. When moisture is present, fungus spreads and damages the wood. Ultimately, the wood can become damaged due to dry or wet rot. For these states to form and spread, the environment must be conducive.
Wet rot spores are attracted to wood with a high moisture content, and thus require a source of moisture to thrive. Potential causes of this moisture source could include faulty plumbing, leaking gutters, a broken roof, broken pipes, a leaking washing machine, or a dripping bath/shower tray. Excessive moisture encourages wet rot to thrive; it triggers the germination and proliferation of fungus spores, allowing them to consume the wood, thereby weakening its structure.
Wood exposed to dampness is prone to wet rot. Possible causes may include roof leaks, burst pipes, a faulty connection in the washing machine, or any other type of leak in the home.
Two species of fungi, Coniophora puteana (black) and Fibroporia Vaillantii (white), cause wet rot. Bathrooms, basements and outbuildings are the places most likely to be affected, as they provide ideal damp conditions. Wet rot is less destructive than dry rot, but if left untreated it can cause extensive structural damage to your home.
Wet Rot Thriving Conditions
The prevalence of wood-decaying fungus is particularly noticeable in humid, stagnant places with inadequate ventilation. People are often uncertain how to distinguish between wet and dry rot. The answer is plain; wet rot only appears in areas with high humidity.
To flourish and propagate, wet rot necessitates sustained exposure to dampness. Wet rot can be identified in areas with inadequate piping, rain gutters, downspouts, and brick pointing. If timber is exposed to high humidity levels over an extended period, fungal spores proliferate, resulting in loss of strength and stability, raising the risk of it snapping and causing significant structural damage.
Wet rot is more likely when the moisture content in a space is higher than 20%. Increasing humidity encourages the development of wet rot, and rainwater in unexpected places is often the culprit. Faulty gutters, a broken roof, or breaches in exterior walls can all contribute to the issue. Taking steps to address these problems promptly can substantially reduce the chances of wet rot occurring. Conversely, if the moisture level is below 20%, wet rot cannot form.
Wet rot can originate from several sources, such as rising damp and condensation, and can affect any timber exposed to moisture for a prolonged period. To avoid potential wood rot, tackle any damp issues promptly, before it’s too late.
Roofs And Upper Flooring Decay
Ground floor timbers, being in closer proximity to damp soil and rising damp, are more likely to incur wet rot than upper flooring and roof timbers.
The most common causes of water getting into the upper levels of a property are:
1) failure of roofing materials;
2) lack of adequate roofing maintenance;
3) malfunctioning guttering systems;
4) inadequate cavity wall insulation;
5) damage to fascias and soffits; and
6) defective sealants.
Upper LLevels’Rot Concerns
Long-term water intrusion can occur in homes due to faulty flashing around chimneys. In certain cases, this is not visible from the inside by way of water staining on the ceilings. Consequently, the timbers surrounding the chimney may rot. To protect your roof from this, it is recommended to have a roofing specialist evaluate it annually.
Slipping tiles can let in water, providing the perfect conditions for dry or wet rot. Acting quickly can prevent damp problems, however, leaving it unattended can lead to rot. Property owners should be attentive to wet spots or algae growth beneath gutters.
Overflow pipes emerge from bathroom walls and central heating systems and must not leak. Behind walls and beneath floors, there may be hidden plumbing issues. Therefore, if these pipes are found to be faulty, a plumber should be called and the home dried out.
Differences Between Wet Rot And Dry Rot
Differences between wet rot and dry rot wood-destroying fungus can be summarised as follows: wet rot needs a high moisture content to thrive, while dry rot can survive in much lower humidity; wet rot only affects softwoods, whereas dry rot can damage both softwoods and hardwoods; and wet rot is usually localized, while dry rot can spread over a large area.
Dry Rot Symptoms
Dry rot produces an erosion in the structural integrity of wood, and even timber far from the source of wetness can be affected. Dry rot causes cracks to appear along and across the wood grain, and a visible fungus may appear on the surface.
When the mycelium is young, it has a white, cotton-wool like appearance that fades to grey as it matures. It can spread by colonising wood in brick-wall mortar beds. Fruiting bodies of dry rot emit crimson spore dust. Wet rot sprouts on wood with a humidity level over 20%, whereas dry rot proliferates on moist wood with a humidity level less than 20%.
Wet Rot Symptoms
Identifying wet rot can be challenging as it favours dark, poorly-ventilated areas like basements, lofts and roofs, as well as places under floors, windows, door frames and stairs. To help distinguish wet rot, here are some key features.
- The wood boasts dark brown stains.
- Splitting or longitudinal cracking can be seen running along the grain of the wood.
- A musty odour pervades the air.
- Wood that is damp to the feel.
- On the wood, a localized fungus is burgeoning.
- The hue of the damaged area is darker than that of the adjacent wood.
- In addition to a musty odour, the wood has a spongy, squishy texture.
- When prodded with a screwdriver, the wood caved in swiftly.
- As the wood dries, it crumbles and fractures.
- In the region which has been impacted, wood on doors and window frames shows signs of bleaching.
- Paint that has deteriorated or is peeling needs to be addressed.
- A reduction in the size of the wood occurred.
- Insert a knife into the painted wood if the paint is damaged. The blade should stop after a short penetration. If it penetrates until the handle, it suggests moisture-related rot beneath the paint.
- Strands of mycelium blanketed the wood.
- The fungus does not propagate.
- In the woods, there’s distortion, discolouration and a weakening of strength.
Wet Rot Treatment Approach
Professional attention to Wet Rot should be sought immediately upon the appearance of any of the aforementioned symptoms, as any delay in treatment may result in further deterioration and endanger the very structure of your home.
Factors To Consider When Treating Wet Rot
A wood rot specialist can help prevent further infestation by treating wet rot. The steps they should take include:
1) inspecting the affected area to assess the extent of damage;
2) ascertaining the cause of the infestation;
3) isolating the affected area and removing any contaminated timber;
4) treating the area with a fungicide;
5) recommending preventative measures.
Identify the cause of the moisture and eliminate it to ascertain the cause of the wet rot. The wet rot will cease once the source of moisture is no more, as the dampness provides sustenance for the fungus to proliferate. Possible solutions include fixing broken roof tiles, patching faulty plumbing, and replacing the seal in a leaking shower tray.
Assess the seriousness of the infestation, identify the fungus, and determine the kind of decay to uncover and evaluate the full scope of the harm. Any timber that has been destroyed or harmed by damp rot fungus must be taken away. In order to protect the wood and prevent it from happening again, fix any damage to nearby timbers and treat the adjacent timber with a fungicide.
Replace any damaged timbers with pre-treated, fungicide-infused replacements to thwart any further wet rot degradation after the wet rot has been cleared.
Book A Wet Rot Survey – London Damp Treatments
If you’re at a loss for what type of wood rot you’re dealing with, it’s best to call a specialist. Our wood rot experts can accurately identify the issue and advise you on the best approach. Our London Damp Treatments surveyors specialise in wet rot treatment and eradication. Our experts will provide you with a permanent solution to your wet rot problem.
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Our treatments come with a 20-year guarantee. For expert advice or to arrange an inspection of your home, call us on 0208 0162508.