FEATURE: TIMBER & WOOD CARE
DRY ROT VS WET ROT: HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE AND TREAT IT
Property owners face two distinct but equally concerning types of fungal threats to their buildings: dry rot and wet rot. Here, the experts at Travis Perkins help to distinguish dry rot from wet rot, as well as what to do if either type of fungi starts to grow.
P
roperty owners need to do all they can to protect their property from wet rot and dry rot, as these wood-
destroying fungi can severely damage a home as they develop. Fortunately, this guide from timber supplies merchant Travis Perkins will help to distinguish dry rot from wet rot, as well as what to do if either type of fungi starts to grow:
Differences between dry rot & wet rot
Homeowners finding rot will likely become concerned about their property and how much it will cost to fix the problem. Identifying the differences between dry rot and wet rot should be the first step taken though, as that can then determine how to deal with the issue. As dry rot and wet rot are two
different types of fungi, they each need varying amounts of moisture content to grow. Dry rot can germinate on timber with a moisture content of between 20% and 30%, while wet rot fungi thrive on timber with moisture content of around 50%. Another key difference between these types of rot is how they can spread. Spores generated by the fungus of dry rot can move through plaster and masonry, so can travel around a property with ease. However, wet rot can only spread
to nearby damp timbers, so damage caused is often localised. Once a property owner knows whether their building has problems with dry rot or wet rot, the next stage is finding out information about the type of fungi being dealt with to understand how to treat it.
Causes and signs of dry rot A rather nasty fungus called serpula lacrymans causes dry rot. It can cause serious damage if it gets into timber and can spread quite fast, so should be acted on quickly. Dry rot develops as airborne spores come into contact with damp timber, with these spores then germinating and sprouting grey root hyphae strands. Eventually, the hyphae can grow into mycelium – noticeable by a thick substance that looks like cotton wool. Dry rot can affect any unprotected timber in a property that becomes damp. This is the case whether the wood is installed on a roof or a ground floor. Leaking roofs, defective gutters and plumbing leaks inside a property can often result in dry rot beginning to grow. Dry rot definitely should not be ignored, as it’s one of the most hazardous types of timber fungi. While it isn’t believed to produce any toxic chemicals, dry rot in a property does indicate that there’s high levels of condensation and dampness present – both of these can cause people respiratory problems and worsen the
effects of conditions such as asthma. Brickwork, plaster and timber will also weaken when dry rot spreads through them, which can result in health and safety concerns due to the risk of structures collapsing. To get rid of dry rot once identified, specialist treatments. The fungal area of dry rot needs to be treated directly and scrubbed down using a hard- bristled brush. Next, a wood fungus treatment should be applied. There may be times where a section of the timber will need to be cut away and replaced. These are usually extreme cases though, but if this is required then apply the same wood fungus treatment.
Causes and signs of wet rot Excess moisture in a property will cause wet rot. While sometimes seen as the less severe counterpart to dry rot, wet rot is still a problem that needs to be taken seriously. Timber that becomes damp and never dries through properly will begin to decay. Eventually, this can result in serious structural issues if left untreated. Wet rot can thrive in any damp conditions around a property where there’s unprotected timber, with this type of fungi encouraged to grow whenever a property has maintenance problems like broken guttering, leaking pipes or structural defects. Wet rot can weaken the structural integrity of a property once it spreads
A rather nasty fungus called serpula lacrymans causes dry rot
Excess moisture in a property will cause wet rot
through any timber
present.This type of fungi can provide a breeding ground for pests such as insects and rodents too, which can risk further damage.
People with asthma and other
respiratory conditions can also become more sensitive to the spores produced by wet rot, resulting in coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.
Just like when treating dry
rot, professionals are needed to investigate and advise on the correct repair actions due to these being specialist treatments. They will start by identifying the source. This can sometimes be quite a simple task, as it’s looking around anything that requires plumbing – so damp patches next to baths, toilets and washing machines.
When a leak has been found, it needs to be fixed and the wall time to dry to get rid of a source where wet rot fungi can thrive. After this, wood rot treatment will be applied to affected timber.
CROWN PAINTS PRODUCTS HELP TO RESTORE HISTORICAL LANCASHIRE CHURCH
Crown Paints has supported the award- winning restoration of community hub, Our Lady Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, in Lancashire. The church has
provided a place of worship for residents in Ashton-in-Makerfield since 1903, but after a fire in 2022 caused significant smoke damage to the interior it was left unable to hold services.
Construction specialist, Story Decoration Group, which ensured
22 DIY WEEK MARCH 2025
its original character, has since restored it and ornate details were maintained with products from Crown Paints.
The successful
renovation resulted in the project being awarded a Painting and Decorating Association
Premier Trophy Award in the Decorative Category. To ensure a durable and lasting finish suitable for the high-traffic environment, 143 litres of Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt were used
to provide stain-resistant, washable surfaces, while 53 litres of Sadolin Polyurethane Extra Durable Varnish was applied to the church’s floors for a robust and hardwearing finish. In addition to this, 7.5 litres of Fastflow Quick Dry Gloss was used for a high-quality finish on the building’s joinery and metal work. Recognising the importance of
preserving the solemn nature of the building, a muted palette of grey, green and brown shades was chosen. On the altar, differing shades of grey were hand painted to create a depth effect upon gilding. This has resulted in the church
being restored to Fits former glory, with services resuming since it reopened to the public following its restoration. Guy Moffat, Contractor and Specification Sales Manager at Crown Paints said: “Our Lady Immaculate RC Church is an important piece of local history and a cornerstone for the Lancashire community.
To find out more about Crown’s product range and specification services, visit:
www.crownpaintsprofessional. com/specification-services
www.diyweek.net
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
