subject: DRY ROT: How to Identify & Prevent? [print this page] DRY ROT: How to Identify & Prevent? DRY ROT: How to Identify & Prevent?
DRY ROT: How to Identify & Prevent?
Dry Rot is the decay of timber in buildings and other wooden structures caused by certain fungi. The other name of dry rot is Serpula Lacrymans and Meruliporia Incrassata. It is wood destroying fungus mainly famous for its ability to destroy wood in buildings and ships. It also destroys crop plants and deteriorates the rubber. Dry Rot as the name suggest is decay of substance without water. The fungus digests the part of the wood that gives the wood strength and stiffness. The dry rot fungus transfers the water from the wet areas to dry areas thus the fungus grows in the dry wood. If it is not treated sometimes the results are so harsh that it may disintegrate the wood. It attacks both softwood and hardwood.
How to identify Dry Rot?
Here are the symptoms by which we can identify that dry rot is affecting the wood.
Wood begins to shrink, darkens and cracks began to appear in cuboidal manner.
White, fluffy cottonwool' mycelium develops under humid conditions.
Strands develop in the mycelium; these are brittle and when dry and crack when bent.
Rust red colored spore dust can be seen around fruiting bodies.
Musty, damp color appears when the fungus is active.
How to prevent wood from dry rot?
The best way to avoid dry rot is to prevent water from entering the wood. There are several ways in which the water can get in. this water affects window sills in poorly ventilated rooms like kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. There should be proper roofing to prevent water damage mold or dry rot. Sometimes it may be caused because of the plumbing leaks. We have to repair the leaks to stop dry rot from developing. We have to make sure that the ventilation is proper in the building so that there is no moisture for the dry rot to develop.
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