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What Is Wet Rot?
As the name suggests, Wet Rot is the natural decay of any wood in your building subjected to a sustained high moisture level.
The persistent dampness creates the perfect conditions for the various fungi (Basidiomycetes) to thrive. There are multiple types of Wet Rot, including Fibroporia vaillantii, Phellinus spp. However, the most common is cellar fungus (Coniophora puteana).
These fungi attack the very fibre of the timber, breaking down the cellulose or lignin in your wood, leaving it weak and exposed.
The moisture and nutrients from the wood will ensure the fungi can grow and spread pretty rapidly as it emits spores into the atmosphere in search of their next wet timber surface.
There are two types of Wet Rot; Brown and White.
The fungus will appear either white or brown depending on the situation, hence the name.
White Rot occurs when the fungus digests the lignin, which bonds the cells of the wood together.
It also consumes the cellulose, removing the dark pigment of the wood. This alters the colour and reduces the structural integrity of the wood, leaving it soft and spongy.
Brown Rot occurs when the fungus can’t digest the lignin and instead feeds on the wood’s cellulose and sugars, resulting in a brown-like colour.
What Causes Wet Rot?
As you might expect, the presence of a high level of moisture in a concentrated area is the route cause of Wet Rot. The general consensus is that moisture content between 30-60% will provide the ideal growing conditions for the fungi.
Several sources of dampness can occur; however, it can often go unnoticed, hidden behind skirting boards, under floorboards, or beneath fixtures and fittings.
So keep an eye out for some of the usual sources around the house. These could include a broken pipe, a leaking appliance, a damaged roof or a weakness in a bath or shower seal.
It is crucial to identify the source of the problem as, if this is not fixed, replacing the timber will only result in a short-term solution.
If you suspect a problem, it is always best to invite an expert to take a look. They will give you an impartial decision and almost certainly identify the root cause of the problem.
Ensure any new timbers introduced to a building are isolated from masonry by using a physical membrane.
- Unprotected timber in direct contact with moisture.
- It can affect any unprotected timber and joinery, so regular maintenance is very important.
- Insufficient ventilation below suspended floors.
- Possible leaks from pipes and domestic appliances.
Wet Rot Frequently Asked Questions
Wet Rot is a type of fungi that requires high levels of moisture to survive and attacks the fibres of wood within a building.
There are several variations of the fungi, and they will appear either brown or white, depending on the conditions.
There are three main telltale signs that you have Wet Rot.
- Discolouring of wood - the wood will turn white or brown depending on the type of fungus.
- A musty smell - Wet Rot doesn't smell, but the damp conditions will undoubtedly make it smell musty.
- The wooden surfaces in your building will feel spongy, and the wood may have a cuboidal pattern.
If you need an expert opinion, then get in touch. For a correct diagnosis, get in touch. Read here for more info on when it has been misdiagnosed.
As with Dry Rot, the cause of the dampness must be identified and treated, and the area must be dried out.
Affected areas may need to be treated with a masonry biocide. Rotten timbers will need to be replaced where they have been weakened.
Finally, ventilation will need to be improved to prevent the reoccurrence of another infection. The most important part of the treatment is correctly identifying the source and rectifying the defect.
In short – No! We value our experienced surveyors Dean and Lee’s time and can give you the best advice. We charge a small fee to cover some of the costs as many times, some straightforward maintenance advice will remedy the issue without any work by us required.
We have a range of survey fees from £95 to £295 to carry out a timber and damp inspection. Many clients have said that a thorough, honest investigation into their damp and timber problem put their minds entirely at rest and saved them money.
The video below explains why we charge for surveys:
This is subject to the area to be surveyed. We would say the minimum time, if it is in an isolated area in a small house, could be 40 minutes. However, if the property is substantially larger and requires both a timber and damp inspection, this could mean 2 hours plus.
The surveyor will do both external and internal inspections of the property and accessible areas. Obstructions, furniture, boxes, panelling, and floorboards will not be moved. It is for the property owner to move these obstructions to allow the inspection.
If remedial works have been carried out, then – YES. However, check your written report to ascertain the length and type of guarantee and any exclusions or maintenance requirements.
Our guarantees are up to 10 years long.
We KNOW there are 20 and 30-year guarantees; however, our insurance company limits us to offer realistic guarantees. REMEMBER, a guarantee is WORTHLESS if the company has closed down!
We offer the ability to purchase a GPI insurance policy for a one-time fee to run alongside our guarantee. See our dedicated page on GUARANTEES to find out more.
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