When you’re a property owner, the last thing you want to happen is for your home to rot. It may surprise you that there is more than just one type of rot when it comes to wood. Most people already know about the dreaded dry rot, but what else can affect your home? There is a much more common type of rot than dry rot, and it can cause a lot of damage it is Wet rot. Wet Rot is the most common of fungi to damage a property and at Tapco HomeDry, we know exactly what is required to eradicate it.
Wet rot explained
First let’s start by taking a look at what wet rot is. It should not surprise you to learn that this so-called ‘rot’ is a fungus. To be specific, it is a Brown Rot fungus called Cellar Fungus (Coniophora puteana). Since most major house structures have a lot of timber, you need to be aware of the signs of it. That way, you can deal with the issue before it worsens and causes major damage and cost.
Check for a sponge-like texture
Often, when you have a case of wet rot, you will find that the wood in your home has a sponge-like texture. When you touch the wooden features, they are likely to be soft and springy. This sign is one of the most obvious, and so you should check for it on a regular basis. Once the wood begins to soften and become weak, you will have a serious issue with the structure of your home.
Watch out for fungus growing
On occasion, you will find that you can see the fungus growing on the wood or even on walls. When you notice this issue, you need to take action as soon as possible. As you might imagine, once you can see the rot or fungal growth, it means that the problem needs treating fast. It is at this point that you should get a specialist timber and damp surveyor. The sooner you deal with the issue, the better it will be.
Look for peeling paper or paint
As the name suggests wet rot is quite a damp issue. That means that the paint on your wood may start to peel and flake off. When you notice that it has begun to peel, you might just repaint it and ignore the issue. That is a mistake. When you ignore the problem of wet rot, it will only get worse and worse. If you don’t take fast action, you will see that it damages your home.
Beware of musty smells
Finally, the last sign that you need to know about is the smell. The fungal growth will make the air damp and smell musty. If you can smell a strange odor in the room, this may be the cause.
Take action now!
If you think you have an attack of wet rot fungus, you need to take action before it is too late. With a wet rot treatment, you can eradicate the fungus in a quick and efficient way, before it turns into the dreaded Dry Rot (Serpula lacrymans).
