Spotted signs of rot in your property? Knowing whether you're dealing with dry rot or wet rot is crucial - they require different treatments and the consequences of getting it wrong can be costly.
Both are wood-destroying fungi, but that's where the similarities end. Dry rot is the more aggressive and dangerous of the two, capable of spreading through masonry to attack timber throughout your property. Wet rot, while still serious, stays localised to the moisture source.
At Advanced Preservation Specialists, we've been diagnosing and treating rot outbreaks across Glasgow and Central Scotland for 25+ years. This guide explains the key differences and warning signs to look for.
"In over 25 years, we've seen countless cases where homeowners - and even other contractors - have confused the two. The treatment for dry rot is completely different to wet rot. Get it wrong and you've either wasted money on unnecessary work, or worse, left a serious problem to spread through your property."
Wet rot is the more common of the two, but don't let that make you complacent. Left untreated, it can cause serious structural damage. Here's what to look for:
Wet rot needs very high moisture to survive. If you can find and fix the water source, the rot will stop spreading - but damaged timber still needs repair or replacement.
Dry rot is the most destructive form of fungal decay in buildings. Early detection is critical - here's what to watch for:
Dry rot can spread through masonry, brickwork and plaster via root-like strands called mycelium. An outbreak in one room can travel to timber throughout your property - even into areas that seem completely dry.
Wet rot needs a moisture content of around 30% or higher - this only happens where there's direct water ingress, like a leaking pipe or defective guttering. Dry rot germinates at just 20-30% moisture, which can occur in poorly ventilated spaces without any obvious leak.
This is the crucial difference. Wet rot stays localised to the damp timber - fix the leak and the rot stops. Dry rot is far more aggressive - it produces strands that can travel metres through masonry to find new timber, spreading an outbreak throughout a building.
While both need treating, dry rot is a property emergency. Left unchecked, it can cause devastating structural damage and significantly reduce property value. Wet rot damage tends to be contained, though it still requires professional repair.
Wet rot treatment focuses on fixing the moisture source and replacing affected timber. Dry rot treatment is more extensive - all affected timber must be removed, masonry treated with fungicide, and the full extent of spread determined before repair can begin.
Misidentifying rot can be an expensive mistake. Treat dry rot like wet rot and the outbreak continues spreading. Over-treat wet rot like dry rot and you've spent money unnecessarily.
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