We had a leak from a shower in an old stone cottage. On removing the shower we discovered the black growths on the plaster wall which you can see in the pictures plus what look like small 'fruiting bodies' (last pic). In the adjoining room behind the shower there was also similar growth and on the stone tile floor and the skirting boards were rotten. Does anyone recognise the growth? Can it be treated with normal fungicide or might it be something like dry rot? Thanks
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Fruiting bodies
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, that looks like an advanced case of dry rot. Seems like it has advanced to the fabric of the building so much so that you can't "localise it" get a Pro in to advise. This will be major work...
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Thanks very much for your advice. Can you clarify what it is makes you think this is dry not wet rot? I assumed because it was found behind our leaking shower it would most likely be wet rot. I also thought that wet rot produces strands like thin tree roots such as the ones in the pics.
I was under the impression that wet rot is only is harmful to wood so if this is in the plaster then a good bleaching should kill it off or a specific fungicide. The fact that you have solved the damp issue will mean the plaster will dry out and deprive any growth of nutrients. The wooden skirting affected needs to be ripped out and burned.
DWD
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