Fungal Decay

Fungal decay can be generally classified into two main categories - Wet Rot and Dry Rot. Both can cause extensive damage to the structure and fabric of a building and correct diagnosis and treatments are essential to ensure eradication.

The True Dry Rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) is the most serious. It is malignant and will even spread through masonry to find timber to attack. It requires a relatively low moisture content in timber to survive. Strands develop to form mycelial growth and fruiting bodies give off millions of spores of red dust.

There are many types of Wet Rot, two of the most common being Coniophora puteana and Fibroporia vaillantii. Wet Rot requires a higher moisture content to germinate, does not spread through masonry and ceases to grow when the source of moisture is removed.

Remedial work involves removal and replacement of infected timber and, in the case of Dry Rot, sterilisation of masonry with biocide to ensure eradication.

Where appropriate, the use of timber engineering epoxy resin repairs can limit disturbance and reduce costs. This method of repair is particularly beneficial where decayed bearing-ends of large section beams can be renewed insitu (the alternative being complete replacement of the entire beam).