Dry rot is the most serious of the wood rotting fungi, spreading even through thick walls in its search for more timber to attack. It requires fast, specialist treatment because even when it is first detected, the concealed infection is often already well established. The spores of the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans, germinate in wood with an optimum moisture content of 20%. While removing the cause of the damp will stop wet rot from germinating (it requires a moisture content of 40% to 50%), dry rot may develop when the moisture level drops and the infested area will need fungicidal treatment. Fine greyish strands grow from its spore, spreading over and through timbers in a sheet of white or dirty grey fungus. Fruiting bodies then form, giving off a red dust of millions of spores to further spread the decay. The wood it attacks becomes dry and brittle with cuboidal fractures, and can be crumbled by hand. 

After a preliminary inspection, one of Kilrot's surveyors will prepare a report and specification for the work of eradication. However it may not be possible to determine the full extent of the fungal attack until exposure work has been carried out. This involves removing floor boards, skirtings and, if serious, plaster from walls and ceilings. 

To treat dry rot, it is not sufficient to just replace affected timbers because of the ability of the fungus to spread through brickwork from room to room and property to property. The whole surrounding area of timber must be removed,. floors taken up, panelling dismantled and plaster and ceiling cut away to reveal the full extent of the growth and beyond for a metre. If there is the slightest suspicion of fungus, Kilrot will fully expose the area, because each strand has a store of food material and can provide a source for new infestation. Infected brickwork will be thoroughly sterilised with an approved fungicide, plaster replaced to special specifications and replacement timber fully treated. 

The potential damage from dry rot is enormous. Kilrot will provide the professional service you need to completely eradicate this danger to the structure of your property.

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(top) Fruiting body and mycelium of dry rot.

(above) Replacing decayed floorboards with new chemically protected ones