Wet Rot Fungus (Coniophora puteana)
There are many fungal species causing wet rot and the same remedial measure are required for them all. They may cause a darkening of the timber (brown rot) or bleaching (white rot). Some types are rarely found in buildings and therefore it is important for an on site inspection where an experienced surveyor can identify the species responsible and the appropriate remedial treatments.
As with the majority of Wet and Dry Rot, the cause of the fungal decay is high moisture content in the timbers coupled with poor ventilation. We Rot do not however, have the ability to spread its attack in the way that Dry Rot will, and therefore Wet Rot will be limited to the areas that contain a sufficiently high moisture content to support fungal growth.
The areas most commonly at risk from Wet Rot decay include suspended timber floors, where poor ventilation allows the timbers to absorb moisture from the damp areas, where joists may bear into masonry that is damp through rising or penetrating dampness. If these areas are left unattended, such decay can result in the structural breakdown of these timbers. Other areas such as roof timbers can be affected due to water penetrating through leaking roofs or badly maintained flashing's, valley's, guttering's etc.
Wet Rot is a term used to cover infestation other than Dry Rot Coniophora, (the cellar fungus), and Poria vallantii (the pore fungus), are the most common causes. They require wetter conditions that Dry Rot, and do not produce their own water-carrying tubes, enabling them to spread in the same way as Dry Rot.
The timber comes very darkened in colour, almost as if scorched, it breaks into longitudinal cracks with the grain breaking into small cubes internally, frequently there is a skin on comparatively sound wood on the surface.
Occasionally thin black fern like threads can be seen on the surface but they do not spread to adjoining dry timbers, or beyond the area which is damp. As with Dry Rot, faulty rain water systems, internal plumbing, bridging of, lack of, or defective damp proof course are the main causes. These will be indicated within our written report together with the corrective treatments and recommendations .
