Detect and combat dry rot
If you ask a child about the greatest creature, it may call the Blue Whale, 35 meters long. When hooking and the hint? then maybe a sequoia will come into play. After all, it brings in the Redwood National Park in California at a proud 115.5 meters. But in comparison to the world's largest living beings, these are all true little things. Because a monster? has been growing underground for 2400 years and has now reached the size of more than 1,200 football fields? the giant hummingbane in the earth of the National Forest in Oregon. Luckily, the real dry rot does not get that big, but this mushroom is all the more dangerous.
Real dry rot or the tired mold?
First briefly to the mold, because the confusion with the real dry rot occurs more frequently. The generic term mold contains a variety of different types of mushrooms. Among them are some that rave about cheese lovers in the highest tones. One is common to all mushrooms? they love a wet environment. So affects the? Mold in the house? Mushrooms, which usually form on cold, moist outer walls. The real dry rot (Latin Serpula lacrymans), however, it is a fungus that attacks the wood. Like all mushrooms the real dry rot loves a humid environment. The cause of the infestation of a ceiling beam may be a leaking roof. The water? his way and ends up sometime in the entablature, the attic stairs or in the basement. The two species of fungi also differ visually. Both have the well-visible fruiting body and a network of mycelia, which spread finely branched in the material. As the name suggests, is the? Black Mold? Good to recognize the black foxing that also smell musty over time. The fruiting body of the dry rot has a cotton-like consistency with cinnamon-brown color and a white border. "Black mold? is otherwise anything but harmless and he occurs in the nursery, the kids should not stay there until the elimination of the evil. Children do not yet have such a strong immune system as adults and are thus more at risk.
Fungal attack in the house? eliminate the causes
If you discover a small mold stain in the bathroom on the ceiling, you do not have to panic. When showering or the full bath creates a lot of humidity. If good airing is not required, the mishap has happened quickly. The mold removers from the hardware store offer a superficial help. Tip: When spraying the product, always wear a respirator, protective goggles and gloves and then ventilate the room well. After the wall has dried completely, paint with a mold protection paint. Think about airing in the future, then the problem has almost always been resolved. It looks quite different when the "Black Mold" or even the real dry rot literally took root. Then necessarily consult the expert.
Real dry rot? recognize the seriousness of the situation and act
The seriousness of the situation is shown by the fact that until today in some federal states the real dry rot is subject to the obligation of the building supervisory authority. No layman will recognize on the surface view how far the mushroom has already spread. A section of the material that looks perfectly fine may already be traversed by a network of mycelia. And if the dry rot is not completely eliminated, it keeps on growing. Because wood is a grateful and nutritious medium for the real dry rot. However, it is a common misconception that the real dry rot only attacks softwoods. Here, the damage is particularly large (within a year he can completely decompose a pine beam), but taste it? also beech and oak. The skilled artisan will first expose the area of damage in order to get an idea of the situation on the one hand, and on the other hand wooden beams or other load-bearing wooden parts can dry out. The refurbishment will be based on the leaflet 1-2-03 / D of the Scientific-Technical Working Group for Historic Preservation and Building Rehabilitation (WTA) and DIN 6800 Part 4. If any of you already have experience with dry rot and Co., we are looking forward to your reports. Conclusion: Anyone who keeps his house dry and adheres to wood preservation measures, does not have to worry about the real dry rot. But once the fungus has settled in, be sure to consult a specialist. Wrong or untreated, the fungus may be responsible for the destruction of the building.
