Damp Related Issues & Wood Root

Thousands of households in the United Kingdom are affected by damp. According to official studies, 4% of England’s estimated 23 million households have rising damp or other damp issues in at least one room.

Damp is the cause of wood rod and timber decay. The cold and damp climate in the UK exacerbates the problem, but building material also plays a role. While the age of much of the existing homes might contribute to damp issues, new construction can also be affected.

Living in a damp home is not only inconvenient, but it may also be dangerous to your health. Mould can cause various symptoms, including stuffiness in the nose, wheezing, and irritation of the eyes or skin. Moisture build-up in the home is dangerous for children, the elderly, and anybody who suffers from skin or respiratory problems.

What Are The Causes Of Wood Rot And Fungal Decay?

The leading cause of rotten wood is excessive moisture in properties and structures, which offers the ideal habitat for rot fungus to thrive.

Fungi are divided into two types: wet rot and dry rot. Wet rot is distinguished from dry rot because wet rot requires a higher moisture level to thrive. The wet rot fungus prefers to grow on wood with a high moisture level of around 50% or more, whereas dry rot germinates at a lower moisture content of about 20% to 30%.

There are numerous forms of wet rot fungi, but only one type of dry rot fungus. The first step in successfully eradicating the rot epidemic is distinguishing between dry and wet rot on the affected timber.

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Dry Rot VS Wet Rot:

What Is Wet Rot?

Wet rot, as the name implies, requires more moisture in the wood than dry rot. Wet rot develops when the moisture content of the timber or other porous surface reaches around 50%, however dry rot can grow with as low as 20%. External leaks or water intrusion from plumbing, guttering, stone pointing, or downpipes usually provide the high moisture levels essential for wet rot to thrive.

To avoid a recurrence of wet rot, the building should be inspected and any leaks repaired before addressing the rot. Once the moisture is gone, wet rot will stop growing. In most cases, the wood in the affected area will need to be replaced as well.

What Is Dry Rot?

As previously stated, dry rot requires a moisture content of roughly 20% in the wood to begin growing. Dry rot does not thrive in dry settings, despite its name.

Dry rot is a prevalent problem in homes with high humidity and little ventilation. One early warning sign is condensation on the windows. If you live in a frequently damp or humid area, make sure your home is well aired to avoid moisture build-up.

Moisture might enter your home through a leak or damp decay. Identifying and removing the source of moisture is crucial before treating the fungus in any circumstance.

Dry rot is most typically seen behind a wall or beneath flooring, out of sight. If not identified early enough, it can cause significant damage to wood and spread throughout the house.

While fungicides can be used to treat dry rot, having a surveyor assess the full extent of the damage is usually a good idea. It may be necessary to remove plastering to examine. You’ll almost probably need to replace any vulnerable wood, just as you would with wet rot.

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Identifying The Differences Between Wet Rot And Dry Rot

Dry rot is a serious issue that needs to be handled as soon as possible. It’s a dangerous sort of rot that spreads away from the source of wet and eats away at wood and other building materials.

Wet rot fungus is more frequent than dry rot fungus; however, it affects a smaller area. Typically, the timber nearest to the source of the damp deteriorates first. On the other hand, wet rot should not be neglected. If left unaddressed, wet rot can cause significant structural damage.

Dry rot is caused by the fungus Serpula Lacrymans, which is the most destructive type of fungal decay in buildings. It has the power to spread across a structure and destroy it. Dry rot can attack any exposed timber that becomes damp with a moisture content of more than 20%, easily achieved in a home, as previously indicated.

Poor internal plumbing or penetrating moisture due to faulty render, guttering, or downpipes can cause wet and dry rot. Wet and dry rot can cause significant damage before a homeowner notices a problem because it can grow between wall coverings and beneath the flooring.

How To Identify Wet Rot

  • On wood, a black fungus may form;
  • With discolouration, the wood is likely to feel mushy and spongy to the touch;
  • If the decay has dried out, the wood will readily split and disintegrate;
  • The paint finish will be destroyed, which could indicate the presence of the wet rot fungus; nevertheless, the paint may appear to be in good condition below yet be decaying from the rear.

How To Identify Dry Rot

  • Deep fissures run across the grain of the wood, and traces of white sheets (known as mycelium growth) can often be found;
  • When the fungus is exposed to light, it takes on a lemony yellowish hue;
  • The wood will be brown and crumble as a result of dry rot feeding on it;
  • Most of the time, the damage is limited to the wood, but in other circumstances, big flat mushroom-like fruiting bodies can quickly grow through finishes like plaster or paint.

Is Dry Rot Worse Than Wet Rot For Your Property?

Dry rot is the most dangerous type of fungus decay in a property since it spreads across and destroys much of the wood. On the other hand, the wet rot fungus is more common but less severe; the decay is usually restricted to areas where the wood becomes and remains moist.

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Call on 01273 257 765.

Is it safe to live in a house with dry rot?

Dry rot is one of the most deadly wood fungi, not just because of the structural integrity of your building but also because of the underlying damp condition it indicates. While dry rot does not pose a health risk in and of itself, it can result in costly structural damage that will later become a health issue.

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The Importance of Wood Rot Treatment

It’s critical to distinguish between the two types of rot since, if left untreated, they can cause severe structural problems.

Wet rot fungi can infect wet wood, and the wood-rotting fungus grows by breaking down the cell walls of the timber and feasting on the nutrients. This process can be highly damaging to the construction of your home, and untreated wet rot may cause the wood to lose its structural strength as a result.

As wet rot grows, the wood loses its strength and, in certain situations, becomes extremely dangerous, not just for specific parts of the property like window frames, doorframes and ceilings. Still, if left untreated, wet rot can compromise the entire timber structure of the building.

That’s why it’s vital to have a wet rot treatment as soon as possible.

Please call us for assistance if you suspect your home has a wood rot problem. The longer a rot problem is left untreated, the more costly it will be to repair. If you feel your home has dry rot or wet rot, you should always see a surveyor. For assistance and advice on wood rot, contact the Sussex Damp Experts office at 01273 257 765.

Dry Rot Treatment

Dry rot is the most dangerous of all the property management issues that can affect your building. Dry rot should be diagnosed by a specialist and treated as soon as feasible to avoid further damage.

Dry rot should be dealt with in the following way:

  • A skilled dry rot surveyor will examine the property to determine the source of the damp;
  • The surveyor provides specific details on how external flaws or other factors are contributing to the damp problem;
  • All fungus decaying wood will be removed by the technicians;
  • Fungicide dry rot treatment will be applied to the dry rot-affected region;
  • Underfloor ventilation will be installed to increase the airflow in the house and prevent dry rot in the future.

Wet Rot Treatment

To treat wet rot, the following steps are recommended:

  • A property care expert must do a thorough evaluation of the property and determine the source of damp;
  • After that, the surveyor will explain what is generating the wetness (penetrating damp or condensation);
  • Replace any timber that has been impacted by damp rot with new wood;
  • After that, a wood hardener and preservative would need to be applied to the surrounding region.

Wood Rot Treatment And Repair Costs

Sussex Damp Experts offers a diverse range of products and brands. Each case has its own set of requirements and constraints, resulting in many treatment and repair options for rot damage.

Wood rot should be treated by professionals as soon as any of the symptoms mentioned above appear. The longer it goes untreated, the worse it will become and the higher its risk to the house’s structural timbers.

If you have concerns about wood rot, please contact our team of specialists to schedule an inspection and receive recommendations for the most cost-effective remedies.

Please get in touch with our staff at 01273 257 765 to schedule a survey because no two cases are the same. One of our surveyors will visit your home to discuss your concerns and requirements to provide a personalised quote.

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Why Choose Sussex Damp Experts?

Sussex Damp Experts are damp proofing experts who can help you with everything from assessments to wood, wall, ceiling, and floor treatments and repairs. Our clients include commercial property owners, property management companies, and residential property owners.

Our rot treatment experts will assess and assess the severity of the damp issue in your home. Our expertise includes specific damp and timber treatments and rotting timber repairs utilising the most effective methods to solve the problem.

Our professionals have obtained the training that meets or surpasses the standard requirements for damp proofing and rot treatment specialization. Our surveyors are all Certified Surveyors in Remedial Treatment (CSRT), guaranteeing that our customers receive the best possible service.

The following are some of the benefits of using our services:

  • Almost 20 years of combined experience;
  • A welcome group of specialists with a wide range of skills;
  • Reasonable prices;
  • Any property can benefit from this service;
  • A 30 year guarantee is included with all work.
  • Repairs for both dry rot and wet rot;
  • Real estate inspections;
  • A successful track record.

Call us at 01273 257 765 or email us if you are experiencing any damp problems at a property.

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