WET ROT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding our Wise property survey. Click to reveal the answers.
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Q1: HOW DOES WET ROT OCCUR?
Wet Rot will occur if it has three key components – moisture, timber and temperatures below 40 degrees. Wet rot will use the damp timber as a source of food to grow. Typically, the most common reasons for a wet rot outbreak is due to building defects or defective plumbing that has allowed water to dampen the timber.
Q2: WHAT DOES WET ROT LOOK LIKE?
To find out what wet rot looks like, click on the link below.
Q3: WHAT CAUSES WET ROT?
Usually a property defect such as a leaky roof, burst water pipe or defective plumbing that has allowed water to enter the building structure. If the timber of the building structure is exposed to this water over a sustainable period of time the outcome is generally wet rot. The timber needs to contain above 30% moisture content for a wet rot attack to occur.
Q4: WHAT ARE THE COMMON WET ROT CAUSES?
Building defects that have invited water to penetrate and enter the property. This can include water ingress from rain through a leaky roof or a burst downpipe outside the property. However, defective plumbing can also cause wet rot such as the washing machine or dishwasher not being properly fitted and leaking water.
Q5: SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT WET ROT HEALTH PROBLEMS?
In 98% of properties that have a wet rot issue, you do not need to be concerned about potential health problems. However, with extreme wet rot problems wet rot spores can trigger respiratory issues particularly amongst children, elderly people or individuals that have poor health issues. In terms of the health of the property, you should also be concerned about the timber within the associated area.
Q6: WHAT DOES WET ROT SMELL LIKE?
Wet rot has a musty smell like damp timber.
Q7: HOW FAST DOES WET ROT SPREAD?
It really depends on the level of moisture the wet rot is getting. Unlike dry rot, wet rot can only spread to areas where the timber is damp. If you fix the defect that is feeding the rot you should be able to stop wet rot from spreading any further.
Q8: HOW IS WET ROT CAUSED?
Wet Rot will occur if it has three key components – moisture, timber and temperatures below 40 degrees. It typically starts when you have damp timber. The timber can become damp as a result of water entering the building either through a leaky roof, burst water pipe or even defective plumbing. This damp timber acts as food for the wet rot and it will use the moisture from the water ingress to spread.
Q9: HOW TO ERADICATE WET ROT?
Firstly, find the source of the moisture. Take action to fix the building or plumbing defect and stop the water entering the building. Now call the professionals who will assess what has been affected by the water ingress before treating wet rot or replacing the affected timber.
Q10: HOW TO PREVENT WET ROT IN TIMBER?
Wet rot only occurs when you have damp timber so preventing timber coming into contact with water will prevent wet rot. The most common causes of water dampening timber are building defects and plumbing issues. Check to see your washing machine and dishwasher are properly connected and do not leak any water. Also, check the roof for missing or misplaced slates that may invite rain water to enter the property.
Q11: HOW TO STOP WET ROT FROM SPREADING?
Cutting off wet rot’s source of moisture (water) will stop it from spreading. Establish where the water leakage is coming from and fix this defect. You might want to check the slates on the roof, pipes on the outside of the building and also look out for plumbing defects such as a leaky washing machine or dishwasher. Once the source of the water is fixed, you can then move onto fixing the affected timbers.
Q12: WET ROT – HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OCCUR?
It is difficult to tell. There are too many factors to consider when trying to place a timescale on any wet rot outbreak.
Q13: WHERE IS WET ROT COMMONLY FOUND?
Commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms (especially on bathroom floors). Also, rooms with restricted ventilation are also a common place for wet rot.
