Building pathology

Biodeterioration of building materials is a complex issue and requires a multidisciplinary integrated approach, which combines the skills of building mycologists, entomologists, public health, services and structural engineers, architectural and material sciences, surveyors, conservation officers, conservation bodies and environmental monitoring specialists.

The study of fungi is known as mycology ('mykes', mushroom or fungus; 'lugos', discourse). The world's ecosystems are sustained and kept in balance by a rich variety of fungi. It is estimated that there are about 1.5 million species of fungi in total, of which around 70,000 (5%) have been scientifically described.

'Building mycology' is defined as that branch of mycology dealing with the study of fungi in and around the built environment. 'Building entomology' is defined as that branch of entomology dealing with the study of insects in and around the built environment. 'Building biology' is defined as that branch of biology dealing with the study of living organisms in and around the built environment.

Building biology has both direct and indirect effects on the health of building materials, structures, decorative and architectural finishes, and occupants.

Wood decay fungi 

The most common fungi to cause damage to building structures are the following:

• dry rot fungus:
  • Serpula lacrymans;
• wet rot fungi, such as:
  • cellar rot fungus (Coniophora puteana);
  • Antrodia vaillantii, Antrodia xantha;
  • Asterostroma species;
  • Donkioporia expansa;
  • Paxillus panuoides; and
  • Phellinus contiguus.

A full description of all the types of fungal decay, and indeed fungi, found in the built environment is beyond the scope of this section and the reader is referred to the further information.

The most common insects to cause damage to building structures are:

• the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum); and
• the death-watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum).

The destruction caused by these organisms is worst if left unnoticed and sometimes the final signs of decay are the appearance of fruiting bodies in various parts of the building.

Figure 1: Destruction caused by water ingress, fungal and insect decay to the ceiling

Figure 2: Dry rot fruiting bodies