Timber Decay: Causes and Remedies

Timber is still a most useful structural material, and is often a major component in historic buildings. It has many structural and aesthetic properties, as well as being an energy-efficient and renewable resource. However, many organisms utilise timber as a food. Excessive levels of moisture and humidity provide a suitable environment for a broad spectrum of decay-causing fungi and insects. The most common organisms destructive to timber in climates of moderate-to-high relative humidity are Serpula lacrymans (dry rot), Coniophora puteana (wet rots), Anobium punctatum (common furniture beetle) and Xestobium rufovillosum (death watch beetle). This paper discusses the remedial treatments of fungal decay to timber, diagnostic inspection and environmental factors favouring the decay of timber.