TIMBER TREATMENT AND REPAIR - RENEWAL

DRY ROT
The decay of timber in contact with dampness is generally due to fungal attack. There are two main categories of fungal attack found in buildings - dry rot and wet rot.

Both types of attack require a moisture content in excess of 20% in the timber and are usually found in poorly ventilated areas. Wet rot is generally more prevalent in timbers with a significantly higher moisture content but is not as serious a problem as dry rot.

Very often dry rot and wet rot can be confused and it is therefore very important a competent surveyor determines the nature of the attack. Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) is one of the most serious threats a property has. If left unchecked it can lead to extensive damage both to the timbers and masonry. Once established dry rot can spread through areas of a property that are not damp.  

Dry rot is also known as ‘cancer of the home’ as once present it can be very difficult to get rid of unless it is treated to the correct requirements. Dry rot treatment has to be extensive. All traces of the fungus should ideally be removed. All directly affected timbers and timbers in contact with affected areas should be replaced. Affected masonry should be treated by sterilisation involving drilling holes to facilitate the introduction of a biocide deep in to the walls.

Sub floor areas need to be scraped and cleaned to remove any spores. All re-instatement work has to incorporate biocide treated materials from the timber to the mortar. Any new plasterwork should also be chemically modified. As well as undertaking extensive dry rot treatment it is vitally important the conditions that lead to the dry rot outbreak are corrected.

Ventilation should be improved and the moisture source removed. The treatment schedule for a dry rot outbreak will vary from property to property. It is therefore important a full survey be carried out to assess the work required.


WET ROT
There are numerous types of wet rot. Although they have their own characteristics and may attack timber in different ways they all have in common features the most important of which being they all limit their attack to damp timber.

unlike Dry Rot, there is no threat to masonry or dry timbers. In view of this, extensive chemical treatment is not generally necessary and remedial action is directed towards removing the moisture source, improving ventilation and replacing affected timbers.


WOODWORM
Wood boring beetles can affect any untreated timbers within a property. In fact the newer the timber the more appealing it can be for the beetles due to the high starch and sugar content of sapwood.

With the current high levels of demand for timber, trees are not allowed the same growing time as was once the norm. The result is a lower heartwood content and higher sapwood content leaving the timber in our properties more susceptible to attack by woodworm.

There are numerous types of wood boring beetles, the most common being the Common Furniture Beetle (most commonly found in Northern England), Death Watch Beetle, House Longhorn Beetle and Wood Boring Weevil. The different types of wood boring beetles prefer different types of timber which can aid in the identification of an attack or infestation.  

Treatments vary from property to property but usually involve cleaning down of affected timbers and the dual application of our specialist treatment fluids. Dense timbers are sometimes treated with a deep penetrating diffusion gel which allows superior eradication of the infestation.