Why wooden stuff gets a bad effect by water?

Question

I mean why is that? whats the scientific reason for it?

Thanks.

Answer 1

It's not actually water in it's self that degrades wood. It's oxygen in a wet environment. Archaeologists have recovered wooden vessels that have been submerged in deep cold waters for centuries that have had little degradation. And the harvesting of timber submerged for many years in areas flooded after building dams is a not uncommon practice. The wood recovered is totally usable and comparable to dry harvested timber.

Answer 2

All organic material (naturally produced) is broken down by water. The reason is that water being the vital fluid of life as we know it can penetrate to any extent in such materials. Thus wood which is also quite porous is saturated with water and breaks down.

Answer 3

Simply put wood absorbs water, and water erodes the wood away. Period. Also it gives more direct contact between the wood with pure oxygen in the wood.