Detection | Prevention | Rectification
Our Services include:
- Spraying
- Replacing timbers
- Dealing with Dry Rot & Wet Rot
- Woodworm Infestation
- Home Surveys
- Full Kingfisher backed Guarantee
What is dry rot and how is it caused?
Dry rot (also known as fungal decay) is a wood destroying-fungus which feeds on moisture in timbers. Dry rot spores, which are always present in the atmosphere, land on timber, and in the correct environmental conditions will germinate and produce hyphae (fine strands of fungal growth). These hyphae strands join together to form a mass called Mycelium which can vary in colour from grey to pure white, and these strands grow into and across the damp wood. It can also grow into materials such as plaster, mortars, bricks etc.
When the growth is advanced a fruiting body (Sporophore) may develop. This fruiting body takes the form of a “fleshy pancake”, the surface of which is orange/ochre coloured. A large number of spores generate from the centre of the fruiting body, under still conditions, and form the red “dust” often visible where there is a significant attack of dry rot.
What causes timbers to rot?
Excessive moisture, from a flood, leak or defective guttering, for example. Rot can also occur when timbers are in contact with walls which are damp due to lack of ventilation or lack of an effective damp proof course,
What is the difference between wet rot and dry rot?
Wet rot stays localised to the source of moisture and the timber is wet in appearance. It will also show signs of shallow cuboidal cracking on the timber surface. Dry rot can grow far from the source of the moisture with evidence of a white/grey coloured growth over the timber.
There are often signs of a white mushroom-like growth, known as a fruiting body, which expels reddish/brown spore dust into the surrounding area. The timber shows signs of larger cuboidal cracks more deep-seated than that of wet rot.
Woodworm
There are three major species of woodworm that cause damage to the softwood timbers of buildings in the UK, Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum) ‘Woodworm’, Wood Boring Weevil (Euophryum Confine) and House Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes Bajulus). These infestations of woodworm attack untreated roof and flooring timbers in London and the Home Counties and spread to other areas of your property, affecting your furniture. There are many types of woodworm, some of which can cause severe rapid damage so correct identification is very important. To avoid structural damage, upon inspection we will recommend the specific treatment required on an individual basis to eradicate the infestation and preserve the timbers.