Damp joists in cellar - will drying out cause dry rot

[Saeed]

I posted a question here a few months ago about dampness in the cellar. Since then I have opened up the windows to allow for air movement, and the there is a noticeable difference not only in the visible signs of dampness (condensation gone) but in the general air.

When I first noticed the damp, I called in some damp specialists and they checked the joists at the ends (where they go into the walls) and found some were very damp. They look much dryer now, but my worry (prompted by what the specialist said) is that in drying out the joists might now be susceptible to dry rot attack.

My question is, how can I tell if a the attack has started/is about to start. Can I apply some chemical to the joist visible/accessible surfaces to prevent attacks.

Kind regards,

Saeed

sr_ng 786

[Mark]

Saeed >

Spray the lot with Boron Ultra 12 or Cuprinol. Just don't breath when you're doing it.

-- Mark

[jacob]

If the timber is drying out it is becoming less liable to dry rot, not more, so you may not need to do anything.

cheers Jacob

[Peter Taylor]

jacob wrote

Eventually, yes. But as the moisture content reduces through the range of around 22% to 20% it will provide ideal conditions for Dry Rot. (This is too dry for wet rot, hence the name). However, while there is good ventilation to

*all* surfaces of the affected timbers it is highly unlikely.

But for the sake of the cost of a tin of Cuprinol 5 Star, is it really worth waiting to see if the ventilation is adequate or not?

Peter

[John Rouse]

In article , Peter Taylor writes

It depends what it does to the health of those who apply it, and live near it. Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt are the allies of the chemical treatment industry.

J.

[Pete C]

Dry rot is a fungus that is so called because in it's advanced stages it can live on dry timber. It does this by growing root like 'hydra' that seek out moisture elsewhere and transport it back to the body of the fungus. So drying out the joists will not cause dry rot although it will not stop it either if it has reached an advanced stage.

In it's initial stages looks like a mass of tiny strands, it prefers damp 'closed spaces' so often grows unseen. However it's only common in the north and north west of England, due to the climate :)

Treating surfaces will help as it stop spores that land on the wood from surviving. There are all sorts of wood treatments available, the best in your case might be a low odour all round treatment which will kill existing rot on the surface and stop new rot occuring.

Wet rot is more common and results in the timber softening and losing it's strength, so is just as harmful and worth protecting against. Though not as effective as dry rot at parting the worried homeowner from their cash ;)

If you find dry or wet rot get some expert advice as to what to do. Above all you need to stop the joists from getting damp again, prevention is better than cure...

cheers, Pete.

[Stuart]

If you have exposed all of the ends of the joists and have allowed ventalation to dry them out then dry rot will not start (you can tell dry rot by the weedy type of grouth that leaves the initial site)

Try and lift then ends of the joists and slip a piece of slate underneath, (this stops damp getting into the joist from its bearing) ideally if you are going to fill in around the joist ends then wait till they dry out, wrap the ends in damp proof membrain then cement them back in.

Various anti fungal creams can be rubbed into the wood to eliminate any chane of future rot, drill some holes into the good wood near then ends and fill these holes with this cream.

Despite what the specialist companies say about dry rot, if you remove the source of dampness then the rot either dies out or remains dormant!