Wet Rot Experts Liverpool

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How can you distinguish between Dry Rot or Wet rot? in Liverpool  They both affect timber and cause aggressive fungal decay.  The key difference between them is that Dry Rot (Serpula Lacrymans) needs much less moisture to germinate and grow than wet rot does. Wet rot occurs more frequently and is less serious.  Wet rot decay is also confined to areas where the timber has become damp and remains damp, whereas dry rot can spread over a larger area is it is able to travel through the capillaries between the stone/brick and the mortar joints to affect neighbouring areas.  Only with an inspection from qualified expert is it possible to tell which rot it is.

Wet Rot (Coniophora Puteana) or  "Cellar Fungus" needs a moisture content of at least 50% to germinate. It generally develops on permeable surfaces , usually timber, where there is a high level of moisture.  If wet rot remains untreated, it can weaken timber. This can have severe consequences as it can cause structural damage in a property. Wet rot is mainly found in joist ends, skirting boards and external joinery. Luckily wet rot will only grow and survive where there is timber and damp, so it remains confined to these areas. 

We're looking for high moisture content as the main cause for wet rot.  So the cause of the problem could lie in functioning water systems such as plumbing, gutters, downpipes, stone pointing missing or roof damage such as broken tiles or slipped tiles. Wet rot is mainly found in bathrooms, cellars and outbuildings. Once the moisture is removed, and the cause of it corrected, wet rot will no longer survive.   

The most common brown rot found is known as ‘Cellar Fungus’ (Coniophora Puteana). It appears as cuboidal cracking & timber shrinkage.

The vegetative part  (mycelium) of the fungus looks like dark brown, sheet like growth with delicate brown threads sprouting out of the rotting timber.

During the initial stages of development, white sheets of mycelium can sometimes be seen. The fruiting body is brown with a slightly lumpy texture and cream edges however this is hardly ever seen.

The most common white rot found is called Phellinus Contiguus and has no common name!

Its appearance resembles a stringy, fibrous texture.

The vegetative part of the fungus appears as a light brown, sheet like growth.

There may also be clusters of light brown threads sprouting from the rotting timber.

The fruiting body shown in the picture above is brown, has many tiny pores and a woody nature.

It appears almost corrugated and clings to the decaying wood. 

With wet rot, the first step is to identify what is causing the dampness.  By pinpointing the source and fixing it, we can then stop further growth of the wet rot. 

The second step is to eradicate the rot – we remove and replace all effected timber and masonry and damaged plasterwork. Any timbers that remain in place will need irrigating and sterilizing or we can supply and refit new joists, skirting boards and new plasterboard.

We specialize in the treatment of dry rot and wet rot. We offer a free survey and free verbal estimate. On further instruction, we would then send over a written detailed report with a summary of recommended steps to eradication the rot. When a customer is happy to proceed with the works, we then book in our qualified technicians who can carry out all of the necessary works and will look after your property.