Why Timber Rots in Old Buildings (and how to stop it)

Why Timber Rots in Old Buildings (and how to stop it)

From Talking Conservation by Stephen Boniface and Rich Alesbury

April 24, 2026 · 59 min

About this episode

This episode explores the causes of timber rot in old buildings and practical steps to prevent it.

Why does timber rot, and what actually causes wood to decay in old buildings?In this second episode of our Talking Conservation timber series, Rich and Stephen dig into the real reasons timber rots, and why it is not simply a case of “old wood going bad”. We explore the role of moisture, fungal growth, ventilation, drying, and environment, and explain why understanding these basics is essential before you can diagnose or fix any timber problem properly. We also look at how moisture meters work, why they can be useful, how they can be misleading in the wrong hands, and what early warning signs to look for if you are worried about rot in your building. If you own, manage, or work on an older building, this episode will help you understand why timber decays, how to spot the conditions that allow rot to thrive, and what practical steps can help prevent it in the first place. In this episode, we cover: - Why timber rots in old buildings - How moisture meters work, and how to interpret them properly - Why timber moisture content matters - The four conditions fungi need to grow - Why rot is about environment, not just age - Ventilation myths and the importance of airflow - Why forced…

People in this episode

Hosts: Stephen Boniface, Rich Alesbury

Topics covered

  • timber decay
  • moisture management
  • fungal growth
  • building maintenance
  • ventilation myths

Keywords

  • timber rot
  • moisture meters
  • fungal growth
  • ventilation
  • building preservation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Talking Conservation

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