Although wet rot is less severe than dry rot since it mostly affects the wet region, it must still be dealt with because it might endanger the structural integrity of a building.
Wet rot, a kind of wood-eating fungus, infests Birmingham homes' exposed wooden components. The type of fungus that is most prevalent, but there are other forms as well, is Coniophora Puteana. Wet rot, which survives by feeding off the moisture and nutrients in wood, can harm plaster, wallpaper, and carpets. In an effort to infect newly exposed wet wood surfaces, damp rot releases spores into the environment as it slowly eats wood.
If your Birmingham house exhibits any indications of wet rot, contact us today!
Birmingham's Wet Rot Types
The most common fungus, Coniophora Puteana, is also known as damp rot and basement fungus. Wet rot commonly damages one of two key locations in your Birmingham home:
White rot
It may seem whiter when a certain species of wood is attacked by the damp rot fungus to degrade it. This condition is known as "white rot." White rot happens when the fungus eats the lignin, which keeps the wood's cells together and gives it its natural rigidity. The elimination of the darker pigments by the fungus together with its consumption of lignin and cellulose results in white rot. The result is a delicate, springy feel to the wood.
Brown rot
White rot seems more white while brown rot appears more black. It could be quite similar to the hue of the damaged wood. Since the damp rot fungus can't degrade the lignin in some types of wood, it occasionally feeds on sugars and cellulose. As a result, the damaged wood appears brown.
Why do you have Wet Rot in Birmingham?
Homes in Birmingham may get wet rot if wood is exposed to an excessive amount of moisture for an extended period of time. Wood that has recently been wet is more prone to this kind of degradation, making it softer.
Wet rot forms as a result of the moisture this wood absorbs. There are several sources of moisture.
Wet rot will ultimately start to manifest itself in wood that has been exposed to either an internal or external moisture source. Exposed wood building components are often covered, making them unnoticeable.
Causes of wet rot include:
- Pipework leaks
- Condensation
- Roof issues
- Overflowing or leaking gutters
- Dampness through walls
- Shower trays and bathing areas
How to Identify Wet Rot In Birmingham
Wet rot in your Birmingham home may be challenging to spot since oftentimes its symptoms are confused for those of dry rot. A professional should be able to distinguish between damp rot and other forms of rot due to the distinctive colour of the rotting wood and the various sizes and types of cracks that it develops over time.
The common signs of wet rot include:
- Localised fungus growth
- A damp, musty smell
- Soft and spongy timber
- Darkened timber – darker than surrounding timber
- a cracked look that, when dry, may disintegrate to the touch.
- Shrinkage
For the safest & most dependable Wet Rot treatments in Birmingham, get in touch with CGT Carpentry right away if you notice these signs in your house.
