Wet or Dry Rot Problem?

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One of our expert damp-proofing technicians will survey your property and tell you what is causing your wet or dry rot and how to cure it once and for all.

Both wet rot and dry rot are a huge threat to structural timber, and despite their different names, need damp conditions to take hold and thrive.

Both of them are a type of fungal decay, though need different treatments to bring them under control.

If you hire Damp Cured to cure the problem, you can be assured we are experts at curing wet and dry rot permanently, and use the latest techniques for the best possible results.

Dry Rot

Dry rot is one of the most damaging conditions to be found in a property.

The moisture it needs to flourish could come from many sources such as water from a leaky pipe, rain water from the roof, and damaged gutters or down pipes.

Often dry rot grows unseen, eventually inflicting serious damage on all the timbers throughout the property.

If not caught early enough, the cost of damage due to dry rot can run into tens of thousands of pounds.

The technical term for this destructive fungus is serpula lacrymans, and it needs wood with a moisture content of at least 20%.

It loves damp, warm, unventilated conditions, and so is often found in hidden areas such as the space between wooden floors, behind the skirting boards, and in the roof, where it can often attack the roof trusses.

What to Look For

Some of the signs of dry rot include decayed wood and a smell similar to mushrooms, the kind of thing you sometimes smell if you walk through a wood and the earth is damp.

A good test for any timber you suspect has dry rot is to poke it with a sharp object. If the point sinks easily into the wood, and especially if the wood crumbles, that’s a good sign that dry rot has taken hold.

The thing to remember about dry rot is that it can spread quickly, and soon (sometimes in a matter of months) affect all the timbers in a building, which can lead to the building becoming unstable and dangerous.

For this reason, if you suspect at all that your property is affected, it is essential to call in a damp specialist as quickly as possible.

Dry Rot Treatment

Firstly, we find the source of the damp, which is often a leaking internal water pipe or an external gutter.

However, it can also be due to rising damp (when the damp travels through the brickwork from the ground), condensation (due to moisture from cooking etc.), or a damaged roof which is allowing rainwater to enter the property.

The source of the moisture will then be fixed to ensure no more damp enters the property.

Secondly, we get rid of all the infected timber.

To treat dry rot effectively, any woodwork which supports the structure of the building should be removed and replaced with fresh timber, which should be treated with preservatives.

Wet Rot

Wet rot is sometimes called the “cellar fungus”, and unlike dry rot needs very damp conditions to flourish and does not spread beyond the wet area.

For this reason, it is seen as being less of a problem than dry rot, though it can cause serious damage if left untreated.

What to Look For

The wood is often darker than healthy wood and usually has a spongy feel. If poked with a sharp object, the point will often enter the wood. On walls wet rot leads to brown patterns.

Damp Cured Treatment

As with dry rot, we firstly stop the source of the moisture and then remove and replace affected timbers, paying particular attention to timbers which support the structure of the property.

Full Survey

Dry or wet rot is often caused by other forms of dampness such as rising damp or condensation.

It is essential to discover the type of damp your property is suffering from in order to carry out the correct treatment.

Many damp proofing companies do not have the required level of expertise to deal with all forms of damp and so will carry out work which does not solve the problem.

Damp Cured specialists will survey your property fully to discover the real cause, and then create a damp cure plan to ensure the problem is fixed permanently.

Treatment Plan

The results of the survey will be used as a basis for a comprehensive damp treatment plan.

This will outline exactly what type of damp your property is suffering from, and then tell you in detail exactly what remedial measures need to be taken.

This means you will know precisely how to cure the damp problem and the scope of the work we will undertake.

Latest Techniques

We specialise in curing all forms of damp using the latest Dryzone system — one approved by the BBA and proven to outperform traditional damp-proofing systems.

We also work with EnviroVent, the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient ventilation, which has also won an innovation award for their products on condensation control.

Planning to Completion

Along with specialist staff to cure any damp problem, we also have expert electricians, builders, plasterers and other professionals to deal with any other building work — such as the removal of salt-contaminated plaster and painting and decorating — which might be needed when curing your damp problem.

Excellent Reputation

Over 20 years’ experience and an excellent reputation for quality and for permanently curing damp problems — take a look at our testimonials for solid proof of the kind of standards we work to.

So to discover exactly what is causing your wet or dry rot. call us today to book your damp survey.

Remember, our surveys are completely free and carry absolutely no obligation on your part. If you don't hire us to cure the problem, you don't pay a penny.

To book your risk-free survey today call us on the number above.

We carry out guaranteed damp proofing work in Redcar, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Stockton, all areas of Teesside, as well as Durham, Leeds, York and many parts of North Yorkshire.

We are open Monday to Friday.

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Alternatively, to arrange your free damp survey please enter your details below.