The above picture shows our training room where we grow all different types of wet rots, and particularly dry rot. Please remember dry rot will break all of the rules, and we have seen it all where this has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a building where it has been hiding beneath damp suspended timber floors.
The below picture shows the extent of a large dry rot outbreak where it has destroyed the timber lintel, and note it has destroyed the heartwood of the timber
The picture shows what a large dry rot strand looks like. This is a dried strand that when bent it will snap, and and make a snapping noise, which is a good indication of dry rot in comparison to Mine fungus (Fibroporia Vallanti), which can be bent in half without breaking.
The below pictures show the stages of dry rot growth from spores, fruiting bodies, and large strands.
All rots need moisture, so finding the source of the moisture, and also accelerated drying of the area are the most important factors to ensure a long term solution. Most of the dry rot issues I find in suspended timber floors are where there are drain defects. In order to eliminate or prove this a CCTV drain survey can be carried out by us.
I have personally seen many timber decay outbreaks that have incorrectly diagnosed as dry rot, when actually the decay was a wet rot fungus, called Mine fungus (Fibroporia Vallanti).
Dry rot (Serpula Lacrymans) is the most famous of the rots, and is the most serious. If left to grow dry rot can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. Dry rot can cause timber decay at lower moisture contents than wet rot, that is why the cause of the problem needs to be identified, and rapid drying of the area is needed.
Dry rot repair works are mostly over specified, and there is this mis conception that everything needs to be cut back 1 meter. This maybe acceptable on a 3″x 2″ piece of softwood, but not an historic listed building. We have worked on some very large listed buildings with huge oak timbers built into soaking wet walls, and this is it also important that if timbers are to be left, that bearing ends of timbers are drill resistance tested to check the structural integrity of the timber.
This image shows dry rot in the basement of a property in Wiltshire, Complete Preservation also carried out the dry rot repairs.
This image shows dry rot in a newly renovated property in Somerset, Complete Preservation also carried out the dry rot treatment and subsequent repairs because of the dry rot outbreak.
Unfortunately dry rot is rather ‘secretive’ in its activity, preferring stagnant, humid conditions. Hence, when it is discovered the damage it has caused is frequently quite extensive.
Dry rot treatment and surveys need to be carried out by an experienced professional surveyor with an understanding of buildings, and the ability to kill off the dry rot outbreak first time. It is well documented that in order for successful repair, rapid drying of the area is needed, this is a good tip to remember as most Companies don’t offer drying of the area. As we have a large amount of drying equipment this is something we offer, to ensure we get it right first time.
Dry rot also produces lots of spores particularly when stressed. The below pictures show the red spore dust covering the floor. When there is a dry rot outbreak beneath a suspended timber floor often the first thing you may notice is a springy/bouncy floor, and sometimes some dry rot spore dust around the perimeter of the floor adjacent to the dry rot outbreak.
Wet rot
The below image shows decay by the wet rot cellar fungus, Coniophora Puteana in a Wiltshire property. Decay by wet rot fungi such as the cellar fungus, Coniophora Puteana, tend to remain more localised compared to dry rot.
Wet rot (Coniophora Puteana) the Cellar Fungus is the most common cause of wet rot of timber in buildings this is not as expensive to repair as dry rot, and is normally found in skirting boards and sub floor plates and joists. Typically this type of timber decay/rot can leave a thin surface veneer that hides the decay inside of the timber. The picture below shows what I mean by the thin surface veneer. What you can actually see is what seems to be a sound timber, but when a sharp bradawl is pushed into the timber it is actually driven straight though the timber where it’s decayed and rotten inside of the floor joist. This is more of a common problem in a suspended timber floor that has issues with sub floor condensation, and poor sub floor ventilation because of lack of sub floor ventilation air vents, or restricted by cavity wall insulation blockages. Another cause of excess moisture beneath the suspended timber floor is because of drain defects, this is where a CCTV drain survey is needed.
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