DECAY OF WOOD

Once the woods get deteriorated they lose their engineering properties and the wood is said to be decayed. Several reasons contribute to the decay of wood, which are explained below:

1. Decay may be caused due to alternate dry and wet conditions.
2. Formation of fungi, which is responsible for the development of various diseases in wood, viz., dry rot, wet rot, blue stain, sap stain, etc.
3. Improper removal of sapwood from the wood.
4. Keeping timber in contact with a damp wall, damp earth, etc.
5. Improper and incomplete seasoning.
6. Non-application of preservatives on the surface of seasoned timber.
7. Using unseasoned wood after application of oily paint.
8. While younger, timber would have been subjected to shocks and impacts.
9. Improper storage while stacking the timber.
10. Permitting insects such as beetles, marine borers, termites, etc., to affect the timber.