Wet Rot In Roof Timbers

The most common causes of water ingress to upper areas of a property are listed below.

Wet rot in roof timbers. Where is wet rot commonly found. It has a damp musty smell that has been described as smelling earthy and like rotting soil. If left untreated wet rot can cause major structural problems as it can lead to weakened timbers. Generally speaking wet rot can occur anywhere where there is water in a property and the water has been in long term contact with the wood.

Wet rot is a fungal infestation which thrives in damp conditions. Timber in the roof can also be at risk especially where there is roof damage allowing rainwater to run onto the roof timbers. Wet rot is less common a problem than dry rot and is often caused by the timbers being exposed to above average levels of moisture or humidity accelerating the natural decay of timber and is often caused by an external issue such as a structural problem or a leaking pipe. The cause must be sorted when the timber is treated for wet rot or it will reoccur.

Where are the areas most at risk from wet rot. The wet rot fungus tends to grow on porous surfaces for example timber with a high moisture content of around 50 while for dry rot to grow moisture of around 20 needs to be present. Wet rot is therefore a general term used to describe a variety of fungal species responsible for wood rot the most common being cellar fungus coniophora puteana. Any unprotected timber in your property from your roof to the ground floor which becomes damp is at risk of fungal attack.

Timber suffering from wet rot will feel spongy even through a coat of paint and look darker than the surrounding timber. Wet rot is more likely to smell than dry rot. When dry the timber will easily crack and crumble into fine particles. Wet rot is simply the wood decaying naturally because of moisture it is almost always caused by a structural problem a damp wall poor or damaged paint work or simply water collecting on the timber.

Wet rot is commonly found in cellars roofs and in timbers around windows. Wet rot occurring in the upper flooring and roof timbers is less common than in ground floor timbers due to ground floor timbers potentially being in closer contact with damp soil areas and rising damp and less likely to be seen.