Dry rot and airflow

[andymartin86]

Hi guys,
I have been suffering with dry rot issues after finding red spore dust coming through the skirting board joints.
I traced the problem to under the floor around the side of the house. The area appears to have condensation problems. The joists towards the back of the house are very wet. As you move away from the external wall towards the middle of the house everything is fine and dry.
I removed several fruiting bodies and lifted boards to let the area dry out. This stopped the red dust. However mycellium is starting to reappear.
There are no leaking pipes in the area.
The rear of the house has an extension built 10 years ago with a concrete floor which has blocked up the original airbricks that served the rear face of the house (2 iirc). There are 3 airbricks on the side, 1 on the front bay window and a smaller one in the porch.
Could this problem be due to the absence of any rear airbricks?
We had cavity wall insulation carried out in 2007 ive been under the floor and checked all airbrick holes are clear.
Is there anything I can do to try and reduce the moisture level as it seems isolated to a small area under the floor.

 

[AronSearle]

Extension block up vent holes has been known to cause condensation, they should have run pipes under the new extension to maintain through ventilation, or knocked in more holes on the other 3 sides.

 

[ree]

Mycellium and its red dust (seeds) is, as you indicate, true dry rot. Dry rot can be a serious and expensive business but if you want us to take you through what you can do then be prepared for a number of questions, and the posting of some pics of your situation.

For instance, can you scan a sketch of the floor plan of your house with the affected area(s) noted, show concrete floor(s) & air brick locations? And can you post pics of what you can see above and below floor?

 

[jeds]

We can give you general advice but here but dry rot within enclosed floor spaces could be very damaging very quickly and is not worth taking a chance with. My advice is get an independent specialist in. i.e. somebody not connected with a damp proofing company.

 

[ree]

Typical dry rot activity takes place in hidden or "enclosed spaces", it is not unusual, neither is it "very damaging very quickly" - in fact, it can be extremely slow spreading. Its a serious business but there's no need for a shock, horror response - such alarmist responses are often a cover for technical ignorance.

OP, Its really not worth taking a chance with an hysterical reply. Do things in a considered fashion by first getting all the information you can from here, and then deciding what you want to do next.

 

[jeds]

Ignore the idiot and get some advice.

 

[ree]

He's getting advice - thats why he's asking questions on a DIY site.

I think that your honest self appraisal: "Ignore the idiot" is the most sensible thing that you've said on here. Well done.