A simple guide to dry rot

DRY ROT wise PROPERTY CARE A quick information guide BUILDING VALUE What is it? Dry rot is one of the most damaging conditions that you can get in a property. To grow or flourish it needs moisture. This moisture can come from any number of sources... Rain water from the roof Damaged gutters Drips from a leaky pipe Damage Spores are present in almost every home; however unless they are given water they won't germinate. If dry rot forms: 1. It will form a large fluffy cotton wool-like fungus 2. It can form serious harm to properties and causing timber to lose structural integrity Lifecycle 1. Spore Begins as a tiny spore that remain inactive until they 2. Hyphae Spores begin to grow and produce fine white strands. These allow dry rot to combine with timber and moisture. grow. Fungues begins to break down the timber. More than one The mushroom fruiting body is a natural defence system that is formed when there is a change in the atmosphere. Spores are pumped out into the atmosphere. 4. Fruiting Body spore will always germinate, the resulting product is mycelium. It can travel some distance in search of timber to attack. 3. Mycelium What does it look like? There are tell-tale signs that can help you identify what dry rot looks like. Red spore dust Cotton wool-like cushions Crumbling timber Mushroom-like fruiting bodies Dry rot vs Wet rot There is often confusion about dry rot and wet rot. The answer is very simple; wet rot requires a higher moisture content than dry rot in order to grow. Wet rot requires at least 50% moisture where as dry rot reqiuires only around 20% moisture content. Dry rot is the more damaging condition. Dry Rot Wet Rot I have dry rot... HELP! We would love to be able to tell you that dry rot is a problem that you can fix yourself but unfortunately it isn't that simple. As dry rot is an extremely serious infestation, if you identify dry rot it is important to treat the issue as soon as possible in order to minimise any repair costs. Our specialist surveyors are experts at identifying the extent of the decay and will arrange for a suitable solution to the treatment of dry rot. Establish the extent of the problem. Identify and remove the source of the moisture. Remove any wood or plaster that is damaged Replace all removed timber with treated timber Advise on additional steps (if any) to safeguard the property. About Wise Property Care Wise Property Care is Scotland's leading damp proofing, timber preservation and woodworm treatment organisation. For more than 15 years, Wise Property Care has been building value back into people's homes through property repair treatments and our real and meaningful 20-year guarantee. For more information, help or advice visit our website - www.wisepropertycare.com f www.facebook.com/wisepropertycare E www.twitter.com/wisepc wise 8 www.youtube.com/wisepropertycare Sources http://www.wisepropertycare.com/dry-rot http://www.wisepropertycare.com/wet-rot http://www.aviva.co.uk/help-and-advice/home-advice/useful-articles/how-to-deal-with-dry-rot-and-wet-rot.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_rot PROPERTY CARE BUILDING VALUE www.wisepropertycare.com/dry-rot DRY ROT wise PROPERTY CARE A quick information guide BUILDING VALUE What is it? Dry rot is one of the most damaging conditions that you can get in a property. To grow or flourish it needs moisture. This moisture can come from any number of sources... Rain water from the roof Damaged gutters Drips from a leaky pipe Damage Spores are present in almost every home; however unless they are given water they won't germinate. If dry rot forms: 1. It will form a large fluffy cotton wool-like fungus 2. It can form serious harm to properties and causing timber to lose structural integrity Lifecycle 1. Spore Begins as a tiny spore that remain inactive until they 2. Hyphae Spores begin to grow and produce fine white strands. These allow dry rot to combine with timber and moisture. grow. Fungues begins to break down the timber. More than one The mushroom fruiting body is a natural defence system that is formed when there is a change in the atmosphere. Spores are pumped out into the atmosphere. 4. Fruiting Body spore will always germinate, the resulting product is mycelium. It can travel some distance in search of timber to attack. 3. Mycelium What does it look like? There are tell-tale signs that can help you identify what dry rot looks like. Red spore dust Cotton wool-like cushions Crumbling timber Mushroom-like fruiting bodies Dry rot vs Wet rot There is often confusion about dry rot and wet rot. The answer is very simple; wet rot requires a higher moisture content than dry rot in order to grow. Wet rot requires at least 50% moisture where as dry rot reqiuires only around 20% moisture content. Dry rot is the more damaging condition. Dry Rot Wet Rot I have dry rot... HELP! We would love to be able to tell you that dry rot is a problem that you can fix yourself but unfortunately it isn't that simple. As dry rot is an extremely serious infestation, if you identify dry rot it is important to treat the issue as soon as possible in order to minimise any repair costs. Our specialist surveyors are experts at identifying the extent of the decay and will arrange for a suitable solution to the treatment of dry rot. Establish the extent of the problem. Identify and remove the source of the moisture. Remove any wood or plaster that is damaged Replace all removed timber with treated timber Advise on additional steps (if any) to safeguard the property. About Wise Property Care Wise Property Care is Scotland's leading damp proofing, timber preservation and woodworm treatment organisation. For more than 15 years, Wise Property Care has been building value back into people's homes through property repair treatments and our real and meaningful 20-year guarantee. For more information, help or advice visit our website - www.wisepropertycare.com f www.facebook.com/wisepropertycare E www.twitter.com/wisepc wise 8 www.youtube.com/wisepropertycare Sources http://www.wisepropertycare.com/dry-rot http://www.wisepropertycare.com/wet-rot http://www.aviva.co.uk/help-and-advice/home-advice/useful-articles/how-to-deal-with-dry-rot-and-wet-rot.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_rot PROPERTY CARE BUILDING VALUE www.wisepropertycare.com/dry-rot