[VAC] Re: Dry Rot

["Anthony Slocock" <aslocock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill
A: Dry rot does exist, it is a term applied in the UK to many wood rotting,
but the true dry rot fungi is Serpula Lacrymans.   This is native in the
Himalayas and spread from India across Russia to Northern Europe.  It is
highly destructive in buildings, able to survive in alkaline conditions i.e.
in masonry and having a well developed strand system to conduct nutriants
and reproductive system, by airborne spores.  In short it is very succesful
once established and became rampant here after WW2 when buildings were
neglected.  But once you understand its biology it can be controlled and
killed, namely by eradicating moisture and ventilating (to reduce
humidity) - chemicals alone are not the answer (but do have a role for
targeted treatment of timbers that cannot be dried before being covered up
again).

In the states you will have different fungi, there is a closely related
species Serpula himantioides for example, but I do not know its unique
biology.

Q: I am interested as to whether the belly pan in Airstreams is ventilated.
If it is then serious fungal attack of the floor deck is less likely to be a
problem.   The primary thing to do to prevent timber decay however is
exclude water.

Anthony (Building surveyor by trade!)
#5398
59 Pacer