Timber is a popular building material that is known for its durability, but one of the primary threats that it needs to be protected from is wet rot and dry rot. These two types of fungal decay are quite common, so it’s important to learn more about treatment options to prevent long-term damage and costly repairs.
Looking for advice on how to identify and treat wet and dry rot? You’re in the right place. Although we’d recommend getting a professional to diagnose and treat both types of decay, there are also DIY dry and wet rot treatments available.
First things first, what is dry rot and what is wet rot? Let’s kick off with wet rot.
Wet rot
Wet rot is a type of fungal decay that affects damp timber. Other than timber, you can also find it in plaster, carpet and wallpaper where there is a high level of moisture.
Wet rot is widely regarded as being less damaging than dry rot. This is because it is usually confined to the areas that are damp and doesn’t spread as far or as wide as dry rot. However, it can still have a significant impact on a building if left untreated.
In timber, wet rot occurs when dampness exists within for long periods of time. The decay turns this area soft as moisture is absorbed into it. Some of the leading causes of wet rot in timber include damp problems caused by plumbing leaks, condensation, roof damage or leaks and blocked gutters.
Identifying wet rot
If you’re not sure whether you have wet rot or not, it’s important to know which signs to look out for. It can be slightly confusing to distinguish between wet rot and dry rot as some of the symptoms can be quite similar. If you’re unsure, seek out a wet rot treatment professional to identify it for you. Some of the signs of wet rot could include softened timber, shrinkage, a damp smell or a darkened area of timber. You’ll generally find wet rot near roofs or around windows.
Wet rot treatment
Identified that you’re dealing with wet rot? It’s time to get it treated. If you leave it untreated, you may find that your timber starts getting structurally weaker, which could lead to long-term damage or accidents over time.
To treat wet rot, start by working out the cause of the damp problems. Where is the moisture seeping into the timber from? Deal with the cause of the damp to stop the wet rot problem from getting any worse.
If the wet rot is out of control, you may find that there is no saving the affected timber and you may need to replace it. However it is usually possible to treat wet rot and save your timber by using a fungicide.
Simply purchase a fungicide that is designed for wet rot treatment and apply it while the affected timber is drying out. You can get wet rot fungicide in a spray form or a liquid concentrate. Follow the instructions of the specific products you choose to buy and you’ll find that these can be effective at getting rid of wet rot in most cases. If you’ve also dealt with the source of moisture, then you won’t hopefully have to deal with this issue in that area again.
Is DIY wet rot treatment possible?
At North Yorkshire Remedials, we’d recommend getting a professional to treat more severe cases of wet rot. However, mild cases of wet rot can be treated by those with basic DIY skills and the right products. Most of these wet rot treatment products are highly effective and easy to use, with a full set of simple instructions.
If you find that you are constantly dealing with wet rot, there may be a need to find a long term damp cure. You may need to consult a professional to carry out damp proofing treatment. If your timber is greatly damaged by wet rot, you may also need a professional to replace the timbers for you.
Dry rot
Moving on to dry rot….
Out of dry rot and wet rot, dry rot is undoubtedly the more severe and serious type of fungal decay for timber. This fungus attacks timber and can spread without a single trace of external moisture. It turns into rot by digesting the timber itself and can spread and seriously damage the rest of the building.
Worried that you may have dry rot? We’d recommend seeking out a dry rot treatment professional immediately to get a survey done. Don’t wait to get professional help for dry rot as if it isn’t treated quickly, then you may find that you need to hire someone to carry out the costly process of getting the timber removed and replaced.
So, what is the cause of dry rot?
Dry rot occurs due to dry rot spores coming into contact with the moisture within timber. These spores land on damp timber and start to grow within it and break it down. Dry rot can be caused by lack of ventilation, leaky gutters and rising damp. It can easily spread through a property that is poorly ventilated.
Dry rot treatment
Identify dry rot with visible symptoms such as white strands spreading across the wood, a mushroom-like fruiting body, greyish patches and dry or splitting timber. Dry rot can also occur in flooring so look out for creaky or bouncy floorboards. In masonry and brickwork, it can be hard to spot dry rot, so look out for it in the surrounding timber areas to see whether you have a problem. Dry rot also has a distinct musty smell.
If you’re not sure whether you have dry rot or not, turn to a professional for an expert diagnosis and dry rot treatment plan. Remember, dry rot can lead to a lot of costly damage, so it is important to nip it in the bud as soon as you spot any symptoms of it.
Professional dry rot treatment will involve finding the moisture source and dealing with it first. Once a damp proofing treatment is done, it’s time for the expert to work out how widely the dry rot has spread. They may do this by removing plaster or opening up the affected area to find which spots have been infected.
Once this has been identified, a professional will work to remove all visible signs of the fungal decay, using a brush to clean away all the surface growth. Infected timber will be replaced by timber that has been treated with a preventative anti-fungal solution. All surrounding timber should also be treated with the same dry rot treatment liquid. These work to treat existing dry rot and also prevent the area from getting infected again.
Is DIY dry rot treatment possible?
For dry rot, we’d recommend getting professional help. It can be a lot more severe and damaging than wet rot, and you may find that replacing affected timber is a lot more costly than treating the dry rot before it spreads.
North Yorkshire Remedials – dry rot treatments, wet rot treatments and damp proofing in Ripon and surrounding areas
If you’re experiencing damp or dry/wet rot within your property, turn to your local damp specialist company for help. At North Yorkshire Remedials, we offer high-quality, durable and reliable damp proofing to deal with all damp-related issues.
We understand that protecting your home and ensuring your structures stay safe is one of the most important things for your home, which is why we specialise in many different remedial solutions, from damp proofing and rising damp treatments to dry rot and woodworm treatments.
For affordable prices and an exemplary service, consider North Yorkshire Remedials in Ripon and surrounding areas. Get in touch with our friendly team today via our website or on 01765 692 154.