Alliance understand the importance of dealing with Dry Rot and have helped many clients with this problem across Scotland from our Perth, Dundee and Fife centres.
We also look after Professional Clients from Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Stirling, Dundee, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Perth and beyond.
Dry Rot
Dry rot is often thought of as a building cancer, rampaging through properties and rapidly destroying any timber – old or new – in its path. It’s actually a fungus that thrives in moist, unventilated conditions. It’s so destructive that it will even penetrate brickwork and concrete to get to more timber. It can cause widespread damage to structural timbers, skirting boards, door and window frames and wood flooring if it’s not treated.
Dry Rot is the most serious type of damage possible to building timber, but Alliance, the dry rot specialists in Perth, Dundee and Fife, can treat and prevent it.
The dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) can be thought of as 'living in masonry and eating wood'. Because the fungus thrives in damp, dark, unventilated conditions, it can occur in the areas of a property that are not often seen, such as floor voids, cracks in walls or behind timber paneling. Damage caused by dry rot can be extensive before the attack is even discovered.
Although the fungus is commonly called ‘dry’ rot, moisture is essential for it to thrive. Without water or dampness of some kind, the fungus spores cannot germinate or spread. Leaky pipes, faulty roofs and damaged gutters are all sources of the moisture needed for dry rot to take hold. Bad ventilation adds to the problem, and creates ideal conditions for the fungus to germinate, grow and spread.
The dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) can be thought of as 'living in masonry and eating wood'. Because the fungus thrives in damp, dark, unventilated conditions, it can occur in the areas of a property that are not often seen, such as floor voids, cracks in walls or behind timber paneling. Damage caused by dry rot can be extensive before the attack is even discovered.
Although the fungus is commonly called ‘dry’ rot, moisture is essential for it to thrive. Without water or dampness of some kind, the fungus spores cannot germinate or spread. Leaky pipes, faulty roofs and damaged gutters are all sources of the moisture needed for dry rot to take hold. Bad ventilation adds to the problem, and creates ideal conditions for the fungus to germinate, grow and spread.
How does dry rot spread?
Dry rot is a living, growing fungus with four distinct phases to its lifecycle:
- Spore: the orange/red/rusty-coloured ‘seeds’ of the fungus that are harmless unless they come into contact with moisture and timber to create ideal conditions for growth
- Hyphae: the stage when whitish/greyish strands sprout from the spore and allow the fungus to begin feeding on your wood
- Mycelium: a grouping of spores with many hyphae
- Sporophore: the mushroom-like stage which creates more spores, starting the cycle again.
What are the signs of dry rot?
The signs of dry rot are generally obvious, but you can contact Alliance, the dry rot specialists in Fife, for a definite diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. Look for:
- Orange/red/rusty coloured fungus spores, sometimes sprouting greyish strands as they grow and spread (the hyphae)
- Damaged, dry, dark, brittle, cracked or crumbly timber – not necessarily near the source of moisture
- White, fluffy cotton-wool-like fungus, especially in dark, damp places
- A ‘mushroomy’, damp or musty smell as the damage gets underway and the wood is consumed by the fungus
What do I do if I see signs of dry rot?
If you suspect dry rot, contact Alliance – the dry rot specialists in Perth – immediately for a survey of the damage. Dry rot spreads quickly, so it is important to tackle the problem as soon as possible. Addressing dry rot earlier rather than later can also be less expensive than leaving it until the damage has become more extensive. Also remember that as both wet and dry rot are caused by a fungus, they will spread much further into your property when conditions are right.
How will the Alliance deal with the problem?
Each case of dry rot is different, but qualified personnel from the dry rot specialists in Dundee will always:
- Identify the extent of the outbreak using specialist equipment throughout the property
- Address the source of incoming water or moisture to remove the conditions needed for dry rot to thrive
- Treat infected areas with fungicide or other chemicals if necessary to stop and prevent attacks
- Remove and/or treat infected plaster and masonry if necessary
- Replace infected wood with new, treated timber to restore structural integrity to the building
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