Root Cause of Dry Rot and Its Treatment

                                                                                         

When timber and other wooden materials decay due to certain microbes such as fungi, it is called dry rot. A fungus, SERPULA LACRYMANS, causes dry rot. Another fungus, Meruliporia Incrassata, also causes dry rot. It is a very common problem in United Kingdom and North America. The fungus removes cellulose from the timber which later causes wooden structures like houses to collapse. The fungi need a good moisture content to establish itself on the timber and then destroy it. In older times, it was referred to as brown rot. Dry Rot was a very common problem for ships during that time. Enormous amount of money was spent on repairing ships and most of the times; this amount was more than the cost of production of a ship. So this problem led to huge amounts of economical losses.

The Serpula Lacrymans prefers temperatures between 21-22 degree Celsius .It usually grows near ventilation shafts as it needs concentrated oxygen. The moisture content it requires is 30 %, which makes it fit for destroying the cellulose in timber and other wooden structures. It is said to be the biggest damager of wooden construction materials. Meruliporia Incrassata is an orange colored mushroom shaped fungus. It is mainly a water conducting fungus which is rarely found.But; it is one of the most devastating funguses that destroy houses by decaying the wood. Since the fungus doesn’t have teeth, it spits on the wood secreting matrix of a modified enzyme called linin. These enzymes turn the wood to mush.

Dry rot is indicated by certain features. The wood shrinks and cracks. In humid conditions, white mycelium develops. Red colored spore dust is usually seen around fruiting bodies. A damp odour can be smelled.

Since dry rot is caused due to presence of moisture, a dry rot treatment therapy must focus on removal of moisture first. The source of dampness has to be first dealt with.Bathrooms, leaking roofs, wall dampness or any leaking objects must be rectified first. After rectification, timber must be allowed to dry to control dry rot. Fungicides are also used to kill rot.Anti freeze is a very common method used to kill rot and prevent dry rot formation. Usually, the fungus goes inside plasters and effects wood in buildings. So it is advised to strip layers of walls to remove the covering and treat the infected wall.

About the author:
Author writes for structural waterproofing, Building Waterproofing and Cellar Conversion.

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