Everyone deserves to live in a warm, dry home, whether you live in a shared rental house or have invested in your own property. Unfortunately however, sometimes buildings are prone to damp, which can cause a whole range of structural issues and health problems for you and your property. From the growth of mould to condensation, structural damage and wet rot, damp conditions can cause havoc with your building.<\/p>\n
Wet rot is one such problem which can cause a lot of damage to your building\u2019s structure, especially if you live in a property with a lot of timber. Luckily, there are solutions to this issue, but it\u2019s important to be able to identify and spot the signs of wet rot early so that you can take action. If you suspect you might have wet rot in your building, read on for our handy guide to signs, causes and solutions to wet rot.<\/p>\n
Wet rot is the generic term for several different types of fungal species, such as Coniophora puteana. These fungi are highly attracted to damp wood as it allows their spores to germinate and grow. The fungus spores also feed off the timber and eat away at the wood, destroying it in the process. Wet rot is commonly found in timber with a moisture content of around 30 to 50%, but unlike dry rot, it stays in a localised damp area and does not spread. This does not mean it is not destructive however, and wet rot can do a lot of damage to the structure of your home.<\/p>\n
If left untreated, wet rot can eat away at the timber beams of a building, potentially causing major structural damage and weakening the structural integrity of a building. Wet rot mainly affects timber, but it can also cause decay in plaster, wallpaper or carpets if they have a high moisture content due to damp.<\/p>\n
Although wet rot cannot spread in the way that dry rot can, it\u2019s important to identify the signs early so that the issue can be rectified before it gets worse. Wet rot can sometimes be difficult to spot, as it tends to be present in dark, poorly ventilated areas such as under stairs, in cellars, lofts or under floorboards. If your building has been prone to damp in the past, check these areas regularly for the following signs:<\/p>\n
Clusters of fungus growing in one place is a telltale sign that wet rot is present (as the fungus doesn\u2019t spread). Wet rot fungus grows in stages; at the earliest point in its life cycle it will form strands that look similar to spider silk that grow in fern-like patterns. The colour can range between brown and white, depending on the species of wet rot.<\/p>\n
If this early stage is left untreated, the strands will develop a white or off-white coating and sprouting bodies that look like small mushrooms.<\/p>\n
Also a common sign of damp, a dank musty smell (especially in out of reach corners where wet rot is more likely), is a sign that this fungus could be present. Even if it isn\u2019t wet rot, a damp smell should be investigated in case it indicates other issues such as black mould or a general damp problem.<\/p>\n
Wood affected by wet rot will feel soft and spongy to the touch, even if there are no signs of external paint damage. If you\u2019re not sure, stick a thin knife gently into the timber. The blade should meet resistance after a short distance – if it sinks in further up to the handle then this is a sure sign that the wood underneath is damaged by wet rot.<\/p>\n
In some cases, the timber won\u2019t be moist at all times, but it will crack and crumble easily when dry. It can also be susceptible to shrinkage, so keep an eye on your timber even if it isn\u2019t damp.<\/p>\n
Often, timber affected by dry rot will be darker or lighter in colour compared to the surrounding wood. Darkening or lightening will depend on environmental factors but it will be accompanied by other signs such as spongy wood.<\/p>\n
The high moisture content causing wet rot can lead to areas of localised decay, including peeling or flaking paint on areas like skirting boards, window sills or floorboards. As mentioned above, wet rot can still be present without damage to the top layer of paint, so use the knife test to check if it\u2019s penetrated deeper into the timber.<\/p>\n
Wet rot thrives in damp, moist conditions as the fungus spores are attracted to timber with a high moisture content. This moisture could be caused by general damp conditions in your home, or the moisture could come from a number of external sources, such as:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to address the underlying cause of wet rot while seeking treatment, otherwise it could simply return again and again.<\/p>\n
Wet rot is an unpleasant and unwelcome addition to your home, but luckily there are many professional treatments and solutions out there which can help, as well as steps tenants can take to reduce the chances of wet rot returning. Before wet rot treatment can go ahead, you\u2019ll need to identify the source of the moisture, whether that\u2019s a leaking pipe, penetrating damp or a hole in the roof.<\/p>\n