Dry rot species of fungi cause brown rot decay, preferentially removing cellulose and hemicellulose from the timber leaving a brittle matrix of modified lignin. The term "dry rot" is somewhat misleading, as both species of fungi "Serpula lacrymans" and "Meruliporia incrassata" require an elevated moisture content to initiate an attack on timber (28–30%). Once established, the fungi can remain active in timber with a moisture content of more than 20%. At relative humidities below 86 percent, growth of "Serpula lacrymans" is inhibited, but it can stay dormant at relative humidities down to 76 percent. These relative humidities correspond to equilibrium moisture contents
Peleș Castle and the only persons permitted on the property were maintenance and military personnel. Ceauşescu did not like the castle very much and rarely visited. In the 1980s, some of the timber was infested with "Serpula lacrymans". After the December 1989 Revolution, Peleş and Pelişor Castle were re-established as heritage sites and opened to the public. Today, Foişor Castle serves as a presidential residence. The Economat Building and the Guard's Chambers Building are now hotels and restaurants. Some of the other buildings on the Peleș Estate were converted to tourist villas and some are now "state protocol buildings". In 2006, the