Wet rot is a general term that is often used to describe various fungal species that are responsible for wet rot. The most common of these wet rot fungal species is Cellar Fungus. These wet rot fungi get their food by breaking down the walls of wood cells. Over time this leads to a loss in the strength of the wood.
Any timber that is exposed to excess moisture will become an ideal breeding ground for wet rot pours. This excess moisture that leads to wet rot can be due to different reasons. For example, it could be from a leaky roof, burst pipes in your home, a leaking bath or a washing machine that has not been a plumber incorrectly. The reasons for excess moisture in your home are endless, but the result is the same. If your timbers have been exposed to damp for a length of time, the outcome is likely to be a form of wet rot, and this needs to be treated.
While wet rot is commonly confused with dry rot; they are very different issues and need to be treated in different ways. While wet rot is not as destructive as dry rot if left and not treated it can lead to serious structural damage to your building.