WHAT IS WET ROT?
Wet rot (Coniophora puteana) is the common name for fungus that causes decay in timber with high moisture content. This makes it a common cause of structural defects, particularly when the fungal decay is allowed to go unchecked with no rot treatment in place.
While wet rot should not be confused with the more severe timber condition dry rot, it still has the potential to cause substantial damage to your property.
Keep reading this page to find out how to identify and treat wet rot or click on the button below to get in touch with our wet rot experts.
WHERE IS WET ROT FOUND?
Wet rot is generally found in timber with a high moisture content. It is usually localised and unlike dry rot (Serpula Lacrymans) it does not use spore releasing fruiting bodies to spread over masonry.
Wet rot is often found under baths and sinks or washing machines. Also, due to how often it is found in spaces below ground level, wet rot is sometimes referred to as cellar fungus.
HOW WET ROT OCCURS?
Wet rot occurs in timber with a moisture content of between 30 and 50%. In order to grow, it requires a regular source of moisture. This can be as a result of other damp problems such as penetrating damp which come from sources like defective plumbing, gutters, downpipes, loose tiles or stone pointing.
When excess moisture infiltrates timber it can allow fungal spores to germinate and grow, this eventually leads to rotten wood and timber losing its strength.
HOW TO IDENTIFY WET ROT
Common signs of wet rot include:
- A musty damp smell
- Timber decay that is often discoloured, distorted and soft
- Hypha: Wool-like like strands of fungus growing across damp timber in a fern-shaped pattern
- Mycelium: Mushroom-like fungal growth
HOW TO FIX A WET ROT PROBLEM
Wet rot decay is typically confined to areas where the timber has become and remains wet. However, it is not a case of just fixing the damage the wet rot has caused. You have to fix the source of the water ingress to completely resolve the rot problem and reduce the risk of any re-infestations.
After the source of the water has been identified and fixed, treatment of wet rot can continue. Wet rot treatment generally involves the replacement of timber within the infected area.
If you are still unsure if your property is suffering from wet rot, a professional property survey will be able to identify and reveal the full scope of any wet rot problem and the sources of any water ingress. Using specialist surveying tools, wet rot can be surveyed in hidden areas of your property such as behind walls or below floorboards.
WET ROT TREATMENT
Want to know how to treat the problem? Check out our basic guide on wet rot treatments and solutions to eradicate a wet rot issue.
HOW TO SOLVE A WET ROT PROBLEM
When it comes to resolving a wet rot issue, the first step is to establish the severity of the problem. A professional wet rot survey from Wise Property Care will identify the full extent of any wet rot infestation in your property even within timbers that are not easily reached.
DO YOU NEED PROFEESIONAL WET ROT ADVICE?
If you suspect you might have wet rot, contact the wet rot specialists at Wise Property Care to speak to our team for help and advice. Alternatively, contact us online using our contact form to arrange a property survey.
