Dry Rot

[WaveyDave]

Hello.

I have been renovating my 1930s semi. My kitchen extension is made from solid brick, so I have had the inside rendered, battened, kingspan type insulation fitted between the battens, and then plasterboarded and skimmed.

I have had water leaking in through one of the windows (several attempts at re-sealing with silicone have failed). I thought the problem was fixed, but yesterday noticed a damp patch on the floor near the window. On further inspection, I found some fungus growing (on the bottom of one of the battens). I scraped it off (looked like mushrooms ) and it left a red residue (brick colour). After researching, it seems if might be dry rot. This is only affecting 1 batten that I can see so far, and it is only the cut end (battens are 2x2). I have got a guy coming tonight to price a new window (I'm fed up with the current one).

I have no central heating at the moment, as the plumbing is being finished. Should I worry about the mushrooms, or is it something that should clear up once the window/central heating is sorted?

I am seriously fed up of things going wrong with this house

Thanks

Dave

 

[Joe Malone]

Please read my previous forum submission on dry rot. Deal with the source of moisture ingress, increase ventilation to the subfloor void and promote rapid drying. All these measures should ensure that timber moisture contents are brought down to a level where the dry rot fungus will lie dormant. You've got spores so that means you've got a Sporophore (fruiting body) somewhere. Make sure you find it and remove it. You'll need to cut out any unsound infected timber but if it's still sound leave in place and deal with the damp issues.