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Dry Rot - Prevent It

Dry rot is a fungus that destroys wood and can cause widespread structural damage.  It thrives in conditions that are moist and unventilated, and can travel through a home’s masonry to get to timber.  Dry rot usually only affects timber that has a moisture content over 20 percent.  Therefore, any dry rot prevention program needs to include strategies such as ventilation and waterproofing in order to ensure that timber cannot become damp enough to sustain the fungus.

Signs of Dry Rot

Some signs that you may have dry rot in your home include:

• wood that is shrinking, darkening and cracking
  
• a musty, damp odour
  
• a “skin” that is grey to mushroom-coloured with patches of lilac and yellow
  
• mushroom like fruiting bodies
  
• spore dust the colour of red rust or red brick
  
• off white felt or cotton wool like sheets on brickwork and timber

Causes of Dry Rot

The cause of dry rot is wet or damp timber.  However, there are several reasons why the timber may become damp including:

• poor waterproofing
  
• condensation
  
• leaking washing machines
  
• leaking showers or taps
  
• rising damp
  
• any holes in the roof
  
• dampness entering the home through the walls

Dry rot may also occur if the timber has not been treated against fungi, or if the masonry in the home has not been sterilised. 

Preventing Dry Rot

Preventing dry rot in the home is surprisingly simple.  Firstly, the home needs to be well waterproofed.  This applies to all the wet areas of the home such as the bathroom and the laundry, as well as the roof, the balcony, around the windows and doors and so forth. 

Ventilation is also a vital concept.  The home needs to be extremely well-ventilated, especially in the roof and sub-floor space.  Also ensure that the wet areas are adequately ventilated, with moist air being vented to the outside of the home rather than into the roof space.