Rot ruins the finish of wood and can cause severe structural damage. Two types of rot exist for residential properties - dry and wet, where wet remains the most common, impacting wallpaper, carpets, and plaster.
Frequently found in ceilings and cellars and around windows, wood impacted by wet rot may contain patches of fungi. The fungi turn wood into a soft and spongy consistency or crumbly and cracked. Identifiers include a darker hue and a musty and damp smell. To confirm the condition, insert a knife or screwdriver deep into the compromised wood.
Dry rot is a fungus and requires some dampness, though not to the extent of wet rot. Its appearance changes as it grows, starting as a fine white thread and morphing into the appearance of cotton wool.
Wood that experiences dry rot tends to split and crack, sometimes into cubes, as it shrinks. In addition, the fungus can impact masonry. If the condition reaches the floorboards, detecting it becomes challenging. Telltale signs include extra creakiness, a bouncy feeling, a damp smell, and sagging in the floor, away from the skirting boards.
Fixing either type of rot requires addressing the root issue, such as a leak or buildup of water around a faucet. With wet rot, remove crumbling wood and drill holes into the wood that extend slightly beyond the rot. Then, apply wet rot wood hardener thickly using a paintbrush and let it soak into the wood. Once the hardener dries, scrape away any residue with a wire brush, and the remaining wood should be fine.
Because dry rot is a fungus with airborne spores, complete removal of infected beams is often necessary. During removal, it's essential to also remove surrounding materials before cleaning and wood replacement can proceed. The extent of rot is often invisible to the eye; thus, getting an expert evaluation is critical.
