The fourth mould we are going to discuss in our series of ‘Moulds in the house’ is Dry Rot.
Another fungus that produces spores is dry rot, Serpula lacrymans (formerly Merulius lacrymans). This is a very serious form of timber decay in houses, and it is dangerous to building structures. Contrary to the name this mould fungus requires dampness to propagate, but it is very virulent and can spread rapidly. The first thing you see could be a fruiting body which may be orange and mushroom-like. Alternatively, hyphae strands may grow almost overnight – a mycelium of fine grey-white strands covering the timber and surrounding areas.
The actual fungus itself would not normally be a health risk, but the spores have the potential to cause respiratory problems if transmitted in high quantities. It is fair to say that if the problem was this bad there may be more significant risks of structural problems. Structural collapse of part of the building would seriously damage your well-being.
If you would like some more information about dry rot, visit our What is Dry Rot? page.
If you would like to discuss your property or arrange a consultation with us, find with your nearest office of Peter Cox Property Services here https://www.petercox.com/regions.php or you can also call 0800 789 500 to talk to the experts and we’ll send a surveyor with local knowledge of your area.
