ABBEY
PRESERVATION

Wet rot is the name given to a family of fungi which attack wet timber.

They vary in severity of damage but none possess the ability to pass through inert material to spread to other damp timbers like dry rot. Thus they are found localised in areas where they are exposed to considerable amounts of water ingress. Externally exposed timber, timber in contact with wet soil or masonry, or timber subject to a damp atmosphere can all suffer from wet rot.

Some wet rots look very different from dry rot - the timber looks bleached and does not crumble. Others look very similar to dry rot and an expert is needed to make a diagnosis.

Treatment involves the removal of the source of the dampness and replacement of infected timber that has become structurally unsound together with the application of a fungicide and preservative to the affected areas.