The commonly held view of an outbreak of the dry rot fungus within a building is that it is an extremely serious infestation that is hard to eradicate and requires drastic remedies. The traditional “orthodox” approach to treatment practised by most remedial timber treatment and damp proofing companies accordingly specifies the stripping oot can be eradicated simply by controlling the environment of the area in which it is growing in terms of reduced moisture levels and increased ventilation.
It is universally accepted that the first priority is to make repairs to rectify the cause of the dampness within the building that allowed the dry rot outbreak to occur in the first place and to promote the drying out of the affected area by taking measures such as increasing ventilation. It is in the way in which the affected building fabric is treated after this that the approaches differ.
It is important to identify whether timber decay has been caused by dry rot or another wood-destroying fungus such as one of the wet rots. This is because dry rot has the ability to travel through building materials other than timber, giving outbreaks the potential to spread quickly through a building. For this reason additional measures (e.g. masonry sterilisation) often have to be taken when treating dry rot outbreaks over and above those necessary when dealing with outbreaks of other wood-rotting fungi.
Typical indications of dry rot include:
- Wood shrinks, darkens and cracks in a 'cuboidal' manner
- A silky grey to mushroom coloured skin frequently tinged with patches of lilac and yellow often develops under less humid conditions. This 'skin' can be peeled like a mushroom.
- White, fluffy 'cottonwool' mycelium develops under humid conditions. 'Teardrops' may develop on the growth.
- Strands develop in the mycelium; these are brittle and when dry and crack when bent.
- Fruiting bodies are a soft, fleshy pancake or bracket with an orange-ochre surface. The surface has wide pores.
- Rust red coloured spore dust frequentky seen around fruiting bodies.
- Active decay produces a musty, damp odour.
If you are looking to get dry rot treatments, repair, woodworm, in timber, woodworm treatment and other treatments quotes nationwide from qualified wood treatment professionals in fixing wood and repairing of Ireland. All treatments are covered including decaying wood, repair and dry rot in wood or timber, woodworm treatment, wood preservative, dry wood treatment, woodworm killer and more. Submit your project for hassle free online replies at Onlinetradesmen.ie - The home of qualified trade professionals in Ireland.
