Logo

Shropshire &
Mid Wales Builders

T: 01743 791815
M: 07786 268435

Menu

Dry Rot

Best known for destroying timber in buildings and ships and found in most parts of the world, Dry Rot (Serpula Lacrymans), is a wood destroying fungus that has the ability to travel through materials other than timber, giving it the potential to spread quickly. Therefore, where there is timber decay, identification needs to be made early on as to whether the cause is Dry Rot. Often, further measures, such as sterilisation of masonry will be carried out when dry rot is treated to prevent further spread. To avoid dry rot causing widespread structural damage, it must be treated quickly and correctly by an experienced company. With dry rot affecting timber with a moisture content of 20% and above, the removal of the source of moisture from the timber will be the core aspect of any treatment.

Typical indications of dry rot include:

It is possible for timber to become damp and dry rot to appear for various reasons:

However, with the source of damp removed and timber allowed to dry out, dry rot will eventually be controlled. It is important that infected timbers are removed and replaced with pre-treated timber, and any remaining timber is treated with fungicide. If the dry rot has passed through the masonry, it should be treated using masonry sterilisation.

Back to News