What Kind of Wood Rot is This? Kitchens, doors, rails, stud, tables, chairs, stair cases, garden furniture etc... Find answers and ask questions here!

[zogster]

I've noticed that some wood in the kitchen is affected by some kind of rot - it's left the wood dry and powdery, and less dense (tapping the wood sounds a bit hollow above the portion pictured).

I'm guessing it's some kind of fungal thing, but really don't know - any ideas what it is? And is it going to spread? Obviously I want to treat or replace it if that's a risk

[Sometimewoodworker]

Are you sure that it is rot? Is there a fungus smell. If not then I would say that it looks much more like insect damage and you should get professional advice reasonably quickly.

The symptoms are much more like insect damage than fungal damage.

[zogster]

Thanks - will have it checked out.

There's no smell, so quite consistent with what you're suggesting

[Sometimewoodworker]

Thanks - will have it checked out.

There's no smell, so quite consistent with what you're suggesting

The more I looked at it the more it looked like insect damage.

You still need to get it looked at to see how far the damage goes and if the insects are still active.

But after that you can just replace the bad stuff but don't forget to use Cuprinol on all cut surfaces and the new wood, AFIK there is no easy way to kill an active infestation yourself other than cutting out all the infested wood.