English: Timber can deteriorate easily if left exposed to water penetration, high moisture content, and loading beyond its capacity. Insect or termite attacks pose a threat to damp and digestible timber found in wall plates, the feet of rafters, bearing ends of beams and trusses, as well as in timbers which are placed against or built into damp walling. It is unwise to ignore timber that is lined with insect or termite holes because they may in time soften the timber and form further cracks. Wet rot is caused by a number of fungi which occur in persistently damp wood. Depending on the species, the strands vary in color. Wet rot fungi are confined to the area of damp. Again, affected timber will change in color, some becoming darker and some becoming much lighter, giving it a bleached appearance.