Wet Roof Timbers

Timber suffering from wet rot will feel spongy even through a coat of paint and look darker than the surrounding timber.

Wet roof timbers.

C wikipedia wet rot is less common a problem than dry rot and is often caused by the timbers being exposed to above average levels of moisture or humidity accelerating the natural decay of timber and is often caused by an external issue such as a structural problem or a leaking pipe. Modern timber roofs are mostly framed with pairs of common rafters or prefabricated wooden trusses fastened together with truss connector plates timber framed and historic buildings may be framed with principal rafters or timber roof trusses roofs are also designated as warm or cold roof depending on how they are designed and built with regard to thermal building insulation and ventilation. Small yellow patch of wet rot on dark wood panel by mätes ii. When excess moisture infiltrates timber it can allow fungal spores to germinate and grow this eventually leads to the timber losing its strength.

Wet rot occurring in the upper flooring and roof timbers is less common than in ground floor timbers due to ground floor timbers potentially being in closer contact with damp soil areas and rising damp and less likely to be seen. Page 1 of 2 1 2 next dougiem. 18 feb 2009 messages. Wet rot is commonly found in cellars roofs and in timbers around windows.

Vac vac and are quite resistant to rot. In order to grow wet rot requires a regular source of moisture. These wet rot fungi get their food by breaking down the walls of wood cells. This often comes from sources like defective plumbing gutters downpipes or stone pointing.

We have provided some photographs as examples of wet rot. Unpainted and untreated timber exposed to water from roof. Own work cc by sa 3 0 via wikimedia. Possible causes of wet rot are.

Many people want to know what wet rot looks like and how to tell it apart from dry rot. Wet rot is often first noticed when floors especially ground floor floor joists become springy under foot. Reply 10 on. Timber in the roof can also be at risk especially where there is roof damage allowing rainwater to run onto the roof timbers.

Wet rot very simply put is a natural decay of timber in the presence of high moisture. Timber damaged by wet rot. Wet rot is a general term that is often used to describe various fungal species that are responsible for wet rot. The most common causes of water ingress to upper areas of a property are listed below.

Discussion in roofing and guttering started by dougiem 21 dec 2009. When dry the timber will easily crack and crumble into fine particles. How wet rot occurs. Wet timbers in my loft.

January 06 2009 08 31 08 am looking at your picture the roof trusses are quite young and would be treated in manufacture i e.