Dry Rot
Despite its name, dry rot is anything but dry. With a very grand Latin name of Serpula lacrymans, it is the cause of major decay in buildings causing extensive damage. Described as a brown rot, it most often occurs in damp timber which is in contact with, or embedded in, wet brickwork or masonry. The fungus is very sensitive to temperatures of over 25 degrees centigrade especially in drying conditions. Exposed timbers and timbers where there is good ventilation are rarely affected.
Damaged timber takes on a very dull brown colour, mostly developing deep cracks along and across the grain. The timber loses weight as it loses moisture and will crumble between the fingers. Unlike some wet rots, there is no hardened surface to disguise this drying out as the whole section of timber is affected.
The dry rot is a fungus, developing a fruit body at the source of its damp home. The fruit body is normally found on timber attached or at least in contact with masonry, where damp conditions can prevail.
Named "dry rot" because of its apparent ability to grow in dry areas, this clever fungus has developed the ability to soak up moisture from timber, totally drying it out, and then develop strands which can travel across and through bricks and mortar to other timbers in unventilated conditions.
It is vital to carry out an extensive survey to find the extent to which this rot has travelled. Eliminating one area will not stop the fungus travelling to other parts of the home and it all has to be destroyed.
All of the property must be dried rapidly, introduce space heaters if necessary. Remove every bit of rotten wood including all wood at least 400mm away from the last evidence of rot.
For further information
call 07961 996 103
or email us at jwnw35479@blueyonder.co.uk
