CAUSES OF TIMBER DECAY AND ROT

Are you a property owner or potential buyer concerned about timber decay and rot within the building? It’s time to enlist the help of AMS SURVEYS. We offer comprehensive independent damp and timber surveys across Cheshire, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding area to gather the facts and give you the knowledge you need to resolve your timber decay and rot.

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WHAT IS THE CAUSES OF WET ROT?

Wet rot requires a source of moisture to grow, as wet rot spores are attracted to wet wood with a high moisture content. This moisture source could occur as a result of any number of issues including defective plumbing, leaking gutters, leaking roofs, broken pipes, leaking washing machines, or a leaking bath or shower tray.

Timber that is exposed to excess moisture provides the ideal environment for wet rot growth, as it allows fungal spores to germinate and grow, as they use the timber as a food source and eat away the wood, weakening its structural integrity.

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WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF DRY ROT?

Dry rot occurs when airborne spores come into contact with damp timber that has a moisture content of over 20%. These spores then germinate and sprout grey root hyphae strands. The hyphae grow into mycelium which covers the timber in a thick cotton-wool like substance. The fungus eats the wood and sucks the moisture from it, leaving it weakened.

The fungus then advances into a fruiting body known as sporophore which sprouts more spores to continue the life cycle.

Dry rot spores develop into the wood-destroying fungus as a result of damp timber and the fungus thrives in moist, damp, poorly ventilated conditions. There are many reasons why timber could be damp in the home, including penetrating damp, condensation, leaking pipes, faulty drainage, broken roof tiles, or a leaking washing machine, thus creating the ideal environment for fungi growth.

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