Wood rot is a serious concern that not only damages the timbers in a building, but can cause hazardous structural problems within a home or commercial property.
There are two types of wood rot: wet and dry rot. Both types affect timbers by causing the wood to decay, and both thrive in wet or damp conditions. It’s essential to know how to prevent and treat rot before it causes damage.
In this article, we explore the best ways to stop and prevent wood rot.
What are the Different Types of Wood Rot?
The two types of wood rot – wet and dry rot – are both caused by fungal spores that are attracted to damp timbers where they find their optimal conditions.
Wet rot is attracted to areas of extremely high moisture content, and the fungal spores can slowly eat their way through even the strongest of timbers. Wet rot is isolated and doesn’t spread easily, but it can cause extensive damage if left untreated.
Dry rot on the other hand can spread throughout a property, as it rapidly makes its way through timbers. Dry rot needs much less moisture to survive, so spreads easier than wet rot.
How to Stop Wood Rot?
Both types of wood rot result in mushroom-like smells, so even if you can’t see the rot you’ll be able to smell it. It’s crucial that you act quickly before rot can take hold or spread through a building.
Wet rot can be treated with effective fungicides, which destroy the fungal spores. However, if the rot has eaten into timbers, these will need to be removed and replaced to prevent structural hazards. Because wet rot thrives in moist conditions, it’s important that any source of moisture is removed and that the area is properly ventilated.
Dry rot can cause damage more quickly than wet rot, and all sources of moisture need to be removed to stop it from spreading. Fungicides can be used to treat and kill existing spores, as well as preventing others from spreading. However once the rot has taken hold, timbers often need to be removed and replaced to ensure the structural stability of a building.
How to Prevent Wood Rot?
While wood rot treatments are effective ways to remove existing types of rot that have already taken hold in a building, it’s always preferable to prevent rot from spreading in the first place.
Dry and wet rot treatments can be very disruptive, particularly if the rot has begun to spread through important timbers and supports in the home. Supporting timbers may need to be removed and replaced, or else they can become a structural health and safety hazard.
These invasive and intense treatments are much more expensive than prevention techniques. Homeowners can prevent rot from taking hold through adequate ventilation, preventing the build-up of moisture on wooden surfaces, and applying fungicidal wood rot treatments that prevent rot from spreading.
Get More Information on Wood Rot Treatments
For more information and advice on how to stop and prevent wood rot, please contact our friendly team on 01765 804050 or fill in our online contact form. Our experienced professionals will be on hand with expert advice tailored to resolve your problem.