Dry rot Serpula lacrymans ( Fr.) S.F. Gray is commonly found in houses, though never with certainly in nature, like other wood destroying fungi which grow both indoors and outdoors. In investigating series of dry rot instances it was shown that this fungus is always found in covered places, close to a moisture source, the distance being from 0 a maximum of 600 cm. Owing to the dry rot has been able to humidfy woodwork to the optimum condition of 20-30% wood humidity, while a lethal water content of 55% would be reached outdoors. At the same time the close presence of alkaline building materials, such as mortar, a clay layer, plaster or concrete has been observed in all instances, the average distance being from 0-100 cm. By neutralizing the dry rot fungus large production of oxalic acid the alkaline materials are able to adjust the pH to optimum levels. These two conditions are the reason why the dry rot fungus only occurs in houses.

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