Wood rot is caused by various fungi, which grow when the environmental conditions are right. Wood rot usually occurs when the moisture level of wood become elevated (~>28%) and is sustained at a level (~>20%) that will support fungal growth. Spores of a variety of fungal species are present in the air and these spores will germinate on wood that is at the right conditions and cause wood rot.

Wood rots are divided into two groups white rot and brown rot. White rots attack all components of the wood, ligin, cellulose and hemi cellulose and cause the rot affected wood to become fibrousy as can be seen below.

Example of white rot affected timber, courtesy RTS.

Brown rots on the other hand only attack the cellulose and hemicellulose, causing the rot affected wood to crack in a Cuboidal manner.

Example of brown rot affected timber, courtesy RTS 

Dry rot (serpula lacrymans) is a brown rot. All other wood rots are wet rots. Correct identification of the type of wood rot (dry rot versus wet rot) is essential, as is the need to determine the source (or sources) of moisture that led to the conditions that resulted in the wet or dry rot.

Biocraft can carry out timber decay (wet and dry rot) surveys and devise property specific control and treatment regimes for dry rot. This will involve determining and removing the source of moisture ingress.

All Biocraft surveyors are Certificated Surveyors in Remedial Treatments (CSRT) and can advise on dry rot treatment.

To arrange a timber survey or to discuss the treatment of dry rot in Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey or London please call 0800 781 8358 or email survey@Biocraft.co.uk