Whats the difference between wet and dry rot?
A. Wet rot requires a higher level of dampness (in excess of 40%) to develop, whereas dry rot can grow in less damp areas of 20-40%. Once the source of moisture causing the decay has been stopped wet rot fungus will die, whereas dry rot can continue to grow, and can draw moisture from apparently dry timber to sustain itself. It is common for an outbreak of true dry rot to occur several months after severe dampness from say, a plumbing leak, if the area has not been encouraged to dry out quickly enough. Dry rot also derives it’s name from the way it leaves timber it has attacked in a very ‘dry’ state. But the main difference is the fact that Dry Rot is the most serious wood destroying fungus found in this country, whereas Wet Rot, although destructive, can be more easily killed and controlled.
