Dry Rot in Wood

Abstract

A FOURTH edition of the brochure on “Dry Rot in Wood” has been issued from the Forest Products Research, Laboratories, under the auspices of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Bull. No. 1. H.M. Stationery Office, London, 1945). As reason for the re-issue, it is said that, since the outbreak of war, dry rot has become much more prevalent, owing to the general neglect of the upkeep of buildings, and damage caused by bombing, to which may be added fire damage. Serious and extensive outbreaks of dry rot developed in a number of buildings after fires caused by incendiary bombs. Much of this rot might have been avoided had certain precautions been taken. In the re-issue of the Bulletin, new material has been incorporated, and the section dealing with new buildings has been revised ; certain precautions being necessary to prevent decay in timber in some of the newer types of construction now coming in use. Dry rot has always been one of the more or less concealed dangers in a house-especially in old houses in the ground floors or beneath them, or in old staircases and rooms in the upper portions of old buildings. It is the result of the operations of fungi, and not of insects-the attacks of the latter being usually discernible by the presence of small pin or 'shot' holes in the wood. The attacks are held to be due to faulty building. Doubtless this contention is strictly true ; but there are many delightful old buildings in which any alterations would detract from their beauty, faulty as this construction may be from the point of view of dry rot. The new edition of this Bulletin may be strongly recommended to those responsible for present building programmes, so that features likely to encourage dry rot may be avoided.