I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!

cheers

Jacob

normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!

cheers

Jacob


It sounds like rot all right.

Before you seal it all up, get a specialist firm in. Not one thats
selling product - someone like a consulting structural engineer.


It might be something else, but I am surprised that pressure treated
timbers were not used.

I am also surprised its rotting, there should be underfloor ventilation
and a damp proof course.

I think a much fuller description of the layout, and if possible a
pointer to a photo of all this would be in order.

Whatever you do don't press on regardless if there is any doubt on this.

You may have a case to sue the builder if the work is so bad that its
rotting.

normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?

Could be mould. If you want to know what early dry rot looks
like there're plenty of pictures on Google. If it looks as if
there are tendrils (or thread-like roots) that's a bad sign.

This looks good:

http://wise.mmidev.co.uk/content/def...p?page=s1_13_1

Have you ever been in a place as shoen in the "spore" pics?

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!

cheers

Jacob


It sounds like rot all right.

Before you seal it all up, get a specialist firm in. Not one thats
selling product - someone like a consulting structural engineer.


It might be something else, but I am surprised that pressure treated
timbers were not used.

I am also surprised its rotting, there should be underfloor ventilation
and a damp proof course.

I think a much fuller description of the layout, and if possible a
pointer to a photo of all this would be in order.

Whatever you do don't press on regardless if there is any doubt on this.

You may have a case to sue the builder if the work is so bad that its
rotting.

Yes I know it is fungus but is it dry rot itself or summat else?
Its the specialist firm of ****s who were supposed to have fixed it
before we bought the building. No transferable guarantee and too much
small print/exclusions - as is usual with damp/preservative firms
everywhere.
We have already redone everything they did following an out and out
explosion of dry rot - luckily limited just to the area of work that
they had replaced. I just want to identify the current minor fungus
growth which doesn't match dry-rot images I've found so far.
I've put in new vents, unblocked old ones, removed rubble and debris
left by the ****s, applied boron based preservative (bloody expensive),
left inspection hatches, put dpm under all joist/brick junctions, and
if worst comes to worst will apply under floor heating by way of 2x 3kw
fan heaters

cheers
Jacob

normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?

Definatly not dry rot,what your describing needs moisture for it to grow.

I used to live on a ground floor flat, this stuff was growing on the beams
in the cellar and was caked in it,the floor was so bad they had to find me
alternative accomadation as the landlord was not prepared to shell out to
have the whole beam structure replaced,it was also growing on the internal
brickwork.

Best solve the problem now and quick before it really gets an hold
otherwise your your looking at a few grand to resolve it.
--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

Yebbut there is presumably an early stage between the spore and the
developing hyphae as shown in Chris Bacon's link
http://wise.mmidev.co.uk/content/def...p?page=s1_13_1
I just want to know what it looks like.

cheers
Jacob

normanwisdom wrote:
Yebbut there is presumably an early stage between the spore and the
developing hyphae as shown in Chris Bacon's link
http://wise.mmidev.co.uk/content/def...p?page=s1_13_1
I just want to know what it looks like.

cheers
Jacob

See if this sheds any light on the subject?
http://www.411homerepair.com/ideas/G.../dry_rot.shtml
--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

Chris Bacon wrote:
normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?

Could be mould.
Ooh yes it looks like mouldy cheese come to think. Whats the diff with
fungus? Does early dry rot look like mould?

If you want to know what early dry rot looks
like there're plenty of pictures on Google. If it looks as if
there are tendrils (or thread-like roots) that's a bad sign.
Couldn't find pics of early (pre hyphae) dry rot.
Am now googling mould (or mold)

cheers
Jacob

"normanwisdom" wrote in message
oups.com...

Couldn't find pics of early (pre hyphae) dry rot.
Am now googling mould (or mold)



http://images.google.co.uk/images?sv...ry+rot+sp ore

--
Mike W

normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!

All rots are wet rots, apart from surpula lacrymans (dry rot) which is
brown, all take moisture from timbers and weaken the wood, dry rot 'travels'
better and quicker than wet rots and can travel inbetwen plaster and
brickwork, brickwork and brickwork and can really work it's way along an
entire street if left unchecked.
Your white mould is a wet rot, remove the moisture and it will die, it
cannot survive on dry timbers, unlike S. lacrymans.
Your idea to introduce ventilation will see it off, although good cross-flow
ventilation should have been in place from the beginning....one or two vent
bricks at one elevation is no good at all, it needs at least 3 nine by six
vents on each side if it's a semi, and four on each side if it's a mid
terraced.

VisionSet wrote:
"normanwisdom" wrote in message
oups.com...

Couldn't find pics of early (pre hyphae) dry rot.
Am now googling mould (or mold)



http://images.google.co.uk/images?sv...ry+rot+sp ore

--
Mike W

Thanks. Been there already - it's all rampant mature stuff in the pics
- no early 1st growth. Am on to mould instead such as here
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/pres...ould/intro.htm .
I think it is a mould - moulds/fungi/mildew/mushrooms are all fungi but
diff species.

cheers

Jacob

normanwisdom wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!

cheers

Jacob

It sounds like rot all right.

Before you seal it all up, get a specialist firm in. Not one thats
selling product - someone like a consulting structural engineer.


It might be something else, but I am surprised that pressure treated
timbers were not used.

I am also surprised its rotting, there should be underfloor ventilation
and a damp proof course.

I think a much fuller description of the layout, and if possible a
pointer to a photo of all this would be in order.

Whatever you do don't press on regardless if there is any doubt on this.

You may have a case to sue the builder if the work is so bad that its
rotting.

Yes I know it is fungus but is it dry rot itself or summat else?
Its the specialist firm of ****s who were supposed to have fixed it
before we bought the building. No transferable guarantee and too much
small print/exclusions - as is usual with damp/preservative firms
everywhere.
We have already redone everything they did following an out and out
explosion of dry rot - luckily limited just to the area of work that
they had replaced. I just want to identify the current minor fungus
growth which doesn't match dry-rot images I've found so far.
I've put in new vents, unblocked old ones, removed rubble and debris
left by the ****s, applied boron based preservative (bloody expensive),
left inspection hatches, put dpm under all joist/brick junctions, and
if worst comes to worst will apply under floor heating by way of 2x 3kw
fan heaters

cheers
Jacob

Ok, you know what to do then :-)

Unless its being fed buy some eater source, it should just die with
ventilation. And antifungal paint.

normanwisdom wrote:
Chris Bacon wrote:
normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Could be mould.
Ooh yes it looks like mouldy cheese come to think. Whats the diff with
fungus? Does early dry rot look like mould?

If you want to know what early dry rot looks
like there're plenty of pictures on Google. If it looks as if
there are tendrils (or thread-like roots) that's a bad sign.
Couldn't find pics of early (pre hyphae) dry rot.
Am now googling mould (or mold)

cheers
Jacob

All moulds and fungi are..moulds and fungi! And all require water to grow..

Dry rot is so called because when its ruined the wood, what is left
looks like a dry powder.

uy probably HAVEN't got dry rot, but yuy HAVEW gota fungal infection

Dry it and apply antifungal and KEEP it dry.

In article .com
normanwisdom wrote:
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?

Sounds like the sort of stuff that grows in my fridge occasionally :-)
I don't think it's anything that's going to threaten your house or be
hard to fix, as long as it's not the sort of mould that causes
repiratory disorders.

"normanwisdom" wrote in message
oups.com...
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!

cheers

Jacob


==============================
Since this firm did such a bad job it's quite possible that they failed to
treat the joist housings in the brickwork. This could be the source of the
new infestation.

It might be worth removing the infected timbers and replacing with new
pressure treated timber - after treating the brickwork of course. Although
it's a bit messy and time-consuming replacing damaged timber is often
cheaper and more cost effective than slopping gallons of fungicide over the
joists.

p.s. Look under the floor for any 'dead' areas that aren't cleared by cross
ventilation. For example, look near the stairs to see if there's a space
that doesn't get a good direct flow of air. Put in an extra airbrick if you
find such an area.

Cic.

normanwisdom wrote in message
oups.com...
I know what mature developed dry rot looks like but how do you
recognise it in it's early stages?
I've got some newish floor timbers in a suspended ground floor which
have aquired a light growth of fluffy white bits which tend to
sage-green to grey where most dense. Is this dry rot on the way or
something else?
Whatever it is I'm not too worried as I am putting in underfloor
ventilation and other measures so it will go away (touch wood).
Incidentally this floor was "treated" for dry rot by a Mansfield firm
called 'Bagguley & Jenkins" some years ago. Everything they did was
appalling and has had to be done again, Don't touch them with a barge
pole - it'll immediately go down with dry rot if you do!


Early stage look like white cotton wool, Ive got some pictures from a job I
did recently I will put them up so you can see what it looks like.
If your property had a resent attack of dry rot and it spored
ie red brick dust everywhere it can be very difficult to kill off
completely, the spores can sit dormant for months in underfloor brickwork
before taking off again.
Lots of ventilation is good but, the rotten timber I throw into the garden
with the intention of burning grow a quite amazing new growth of fungus
outside :-(
boron preservative seems to work ok on wood, if you have damp earth under
the suspended floor cheep thick bleach also works to kill the spores as they
germinate.



-