Understanding the Difference Between Wet and Dry Rot

One of the most common questions we receive from clients who notice fungal decay in their property is ‘what is the difference between wet rot and dry rot’. It’s important for homeowners to understand the difference between the two, and make sure that they receive the right treatment for the wet or dry rot problem. 

Below, we’ve written an informative post about the differences between wet and dry rot, and the treatment solutions used for both issues. Continue reading to learn more, and if you need professional dry rot treatment – contact the Kenwood PLC specialist team today. 

What is Wet Rot?

Wet rot refers to all manners of fungal species that can cause damage to a home. For wet rot to grow, it needs a high moisture content. Mainly, wet rot affects timber. There are a variety of different types of wet rot fungi, whereas, there is just a single kind of dry rot fungus. 

Wet rot tends to happen in a more localised area, and can be resolved more quickly and at a lower cost too. If you leave wet rot untreated, it can result in major structural issues, so it’s vital that you get wet rot treatment as soon as possible. 

What is Dry Rot?

Dry rot creates a fungal growth that may come in the form of white strands, sheet mycelium and fruiting bodies. White strands are able to penetrate through brickwork and mortar joints, and can take moisture to dry, poorly ventilated areas. This enables the spread of the fungus. 

Mycelium tends to appear as silky white sheets, normally with yellow or lilac edges. Fruiting bodies are visible as fleshy, pancake-like growths, laden with spores. This typically creates a red dust surrounding the affected area. 

How to Prevent Wet and Dry Rot?

There are a number of practical steps that homeowners can take to prevent experiencing dry rot and wet rot in their homes. First of all, the best way is to maintain a dry environment. You should make sure to check your home regularly for signs of moisture or water damage.

If there are cracks in the walls and ceilings, these need to be sealed with a waterproof sealant. In addition, make sure you repair any leaks in the roof or around windows and doors as soon as possible. 

Furthermore, ventilation is also really important. Open your windows and doors regularly, this allows air to circulate. Likewise, you should clean and inspect any gutters or drains that may be contributing to moisture or water damage.

How to Treat Wet and Dry Rot?

Wet rot treatment is typically less costly to perform than dry rot. In order to treat wet rot, a specialist will usually locate the wet rot (found in the dampest areas of the property) – finding the source of the rot and eliminating the source of the water. This will eradicate the problem permanently, and replace affected areas of timber too. 

In terms of dry rot treatment, there are more key steps and factors involved. Firstly, the moisture source needs to be removed – to create a dry environment. Next, treatment involves eradication of fungal growth and replacement of defective timber elements.

Generally, treatment necessitates cutting out and disposing of defective timbers and chemical treatment to adjacent areas to eliminate fungal growth. If masonry is affected, there needs to be treatment of the brickwork in the form of sterilisation and/or irrigation to the walls. 

After the eradication of the fungus and elimination of the moisture during the dry rot treatment, you can introduce new timbers. Isolation from masonry needs to be ensured, with physical barriers and proper ventilation to the floor voids.

Searching for a Dry Rot Specialist?

If you are trying to find a specialist that provides wood rot treatment – dry rot treatment or wet rot treatment – then Kenwood PLC is the company to come to. We specialise in wood rot treatments for domestic properties, and our professionals can resolve the issues you are experiencing in a quick, efficient manner. 

We attend thousands of properties every single year, and have been established for more than 30 years. What’s more, we provide 20 year guarantees, so there are a wealth of reasons why you should choose our service. All of our technicians and surveyors are skilled and qualified to deliver a first-class service. 

To book a survey for dry rot wood treatment, please drop us a message via the online form on our website, and we’ll be in touch with you as quickly as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon.