Identifying Dry Rot and Wet Rot in the Home

• Depending upon the species, both hardwoods and softwoods can be attacked
• The appearance of the rot varies according to the individual species
• See below for further details relating to individual species

• Feeds on the timber’s cellulose and leaves the lignin intact
• The timber will become darker due to this method of feeding
• Timber shrinks and cracks, causing the cuboidal cracking that can be seen in the picture to the left

• Cuboidal cracking
• The size of the cube will vary depending on the type of wood that is affected
• Darkening of timber which is easier to observe on lighter woods

• Attacks both hardwoods and softwoods depending on the species
• The appearance of the rot varies according to the species
• See below under the individual species for timber attacked and the appearance of the growth

• Feeds on the timber’s cellulose and lignin
• Timber will become fibrous either internally or on the surface
• Timber will take on a lighter colour due to lignin loss

• Fibrous texture both on surface and within the timber
• Lightening of the timber

(Serpula Lacrymans)

• Softwoods are most commonly affected by dry rot. Serpula Lacrymans is the only species of dry rot
• Silky grey appearance with patches of lilac and yellow
• S. Lacrymans has an easy-to-peel mushroom-like skin

• The integrity of the timber is threatened due to feeding activity
• The loss of strength in the timber may result in the need to replace affected sections

• Large and deep cubes formed by shrinkage
• The surface of the timber is unsound
• Silvery, grey skin with lilac and yellow patches. Fawn or reddish brown areas are also possible
• A white cotton wool-like growth may be present in more humid situations

(Coniophora Puteana)

• Both hardwoods and softwoods are attacked
• Features a dark brown through to black sheet-like appearance
• Fine brown strands may be seen emerging from wood

• Cuboidal cracking of the timber
• Rot often affects the internal structure of the wood leaving a thin but sound surface skin
• The timber may show a slight yellow colouration in early stages

• Dark brown to black sheets of fungus
• Fine brown threads emerging from the wood
• Cuboidal cracking
• Darkening of affected areas of timber

(Fibroporia Vaillantii)

• Mine fungus attacks softwoods
• The main body of growth is white with light orange patches
• White, coarse strands which are flexible despite their thickness

• Cuboidal cracking to timber but not as deep as with dry rot

• White, often fern-like growth, with light orange patches on the body of the growth
• Cuboidal damage to timber
• Coarse, white strands
• Darkening to affected areas of the timber

(Phellinus Contiguus)

• Both hardwoods and softwoods are affected
• The growth resembles a rough chamois leather in colour and appearance
• Tufted growths of light brown material can often be seen with P. Conitguus

• The timber will be degraded and appear fibrous
• Slight bleaching of timber colouration
• Will attack external masonry

• Appearance like chamois leather
• Timber takes on a stringy, fibrous nature
• Light brown tufts of growth
• Lightening of the colour of timber

(Donkioporia Expansa)

• Only hardwoods are attacked, most commonly oak
• A thick, reddish-brown growth that may exhibit droplets of dark brown liquid
• No strands will be noted with D. Expansa

• The timber will be degraded and appear fibrous
• Slight bleaching of timber colouration
• Internal damage to timber is common

• Thick reddish brown body to fungus
• The timber exhibits a coarse, fibrous appearance
• Occasional appearance of dark liquid droplets
• Slight bleaching of wood

(Pleurotus Ostreatus)

• Panelling and boards like chipboard
• Steel to fawn coloured mushroom-like main body
• Woolly mat-like white growth can also be present
• No strands are noted with this wet rot

• Loosening or separation of the wood chips used in the board’s construction
• Lightening to the colour of the wood products attacked

• White, woolly mats of growth
• Sometimes a mushroom-like growth with a steel-blue to fawn colour will also be present
• The timber may appear lighter in colour

(Asterostroma spp)

• Only softwoods are attacked
• Thin grey to pink coloured sheets of growth
• The strands associated with this rot are also grey to pink in colour, generally thin and quite long

• The timber will take on a coarse, fibrous appearance common with many white wet rots
• Timber will appear well aged and weathered

• Thin pinky-grey body to growth
• Thin pinky-grey strands that may also extend over damp masonry
• Timber will appear fibrous and weathered