Dry rot or wet rot?
2009PCA Technician of the Year
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Belfastand across Northern Ireland
PCAtrained damp specialist
The short answer: Both are fungal decay caused by damp timber. Wet rot stays in the damp area. Dry rot can spread through a building beyond the wet area, so it needs more urgent, specialist attention. Either way, the moisture source has to be fixed.
Signs of dry rot
- Deep cuboid cracking in the timber
- White, cotton wool-like growth or grey strands
- Red-brown spore dust and a musty, mushroom smell
Signs of wet rot
- Dark, soft or spongy timber
- Cracking along the grain
- Decay limited to the area that is wet
What happens next
We find and fix the source of moisture, encourage the timber to dry out, and replace or treat affected timber where it is needed. It is worth getting a diagnosis early, as rot gets worse the longer it is left.
Not sure what you are looking at?
Book a survey and we will tell you honestly what needs doing.