Dry Rot

Fungal decay of timber by either Wet Rot or Dry Rot can occur when timbers are in prolonged contact with damp situations, especially in poorly ventilated areas such as sub floors. Dampness from plumbing leaks, defective gutters, rising dampness or high ground levels etc., can create the conditions for decay to establish and wood rotting fungi to develop.

The fungal growth from dry rot may be in the form of white strands, sheet mycelium and fruiting bodies. The white strands are able to penetrate through brickwork and mortar joints and can transport moisture to dry, poorly ventilated areas, allowing the spread of the fungus.

Dry rot normally requires cutting out and disposing of defective timbers and chemical treatment to adjacent areas to eradicate fungal growth. Where masonry is affected, treatment of the brickwork may be required in the form of sterilisation and / or irrigation to the walls.

Irrigation is the term used to describe the eradication of Dry Rot from masonry and involves drilling the masonry and injecting a fungicidal preservative to the walls under pressure.

Following the eradication of the fungus and removal of the moisture sources, new timbers can be introduced, ensuring isolation from masonry with physical barriers and adequate ventilation to the floor voids. Where floor voids cannot be adequately ventilated, replacement in concrete may be required.

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