Timber decay in buildings, regardless of their age, is often a result of rot. Wood rot commonly shows up in two forms: wet and dry rot, both forms are brought on by fungal decay in building timbers.
What is Wet Rot?
This is a type of parasite which can be found in wet timber. It warps the timber, making it swell and causing the fibres to separate, this can lead to loss of strength, and eventually, crumbling in the timber structure. Wet Rot leads to wood decay and causes it to lose structural integrity and eventually disintegrate. Incessant contact with sources of moisture is the primary cause of wet rot in structural wood. This exposure could be in the form of penetrating damp from the ‘wet’ side of the building or faulty plumbing. Wet rot is a fungus which also spreads to cause damage to neighbouring timbers.
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What is the Difference Between Dry Rot and Wet Rot?
Dry rot causes more and faster damage to structural timber as it spreads and consumes structural wood within a property. Wet rot, while occurring more often, causes less harm; the waterlogged areas on the timber suffer virtually all the damage. It is possible to differentiate between dry and wet rot by associating the extent of damage as well as the colour of the timber with the development of either type of rot.
What causes Wet Rot?
Wet rot spores are only present in certain environmental conditions. The primary cause of wet rot is moist timber. Moisture expedites the progression of wet rot fungi. As a result of this, indications of premature deterioration can be seen in the decaying wood.
The Dangers of Wet Rot in Steyning
Wet rot is a devastating problem. It can destroy your home and ruin its value. If you find wet rot in your home, you must treat it quickly or risk allowing the infection to spread. A recent survey asked 2,038 London homeowners if they ever noticed wet rot in their homes, where the rot was found, and also if they had any success preventing a recurrence.
The results were appalling – over 20% of the respondents had noticed wet rot in some form or the other. Wet Rot attacks timber flooring and can potentially make the property structurally unsafe. In addition to provoking costly repair work, wet rot can drag down your property value, and insurance companies typically shy away from offering policies to houses experiencing moisture ingress or damp build-up.
What are the Warning Signs of Wet Rot?
The progression of the fungus from its appearance to become a pervasive issue depends on the moisture it is exposed to. Peeling wallpaper (especially at the corners), malfunctioning central heating boiler, a persistent musty smell, and malfunctioning cookers are some easy-to-spot signs of wet rot. Common areas where wet rot occurs include beneath the kitchen sink, along external walls, attics and roof spaces. Wet rot typically attacks older buildings constructed using timber frames rather than modern species such as Meranti and Sapele. Timber that is found below ground level or reaching a one-floor level is susceptible to wet rot as well. Being able to identify wet or dry rot is a big part of managing its growth. If you have reason to believe that your home has been infested by wet rot, then you should conduct a damp survey at once.
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How and When Should I Look for Wood Rot?
It should be an annual task, similar to spring cleaning to search your home for signs of damp or wood rot, and a good time to do it is during your pre-winter weatherproofing activities. You will need a long-handle screwdriver and a flashlight.
Examine the siding around and below the windows for signs of swelling or discolouration if your home has wood siding. Paint can cover wood rot, so the wood must be rough and solid, try jabbing the siding with your screwdriver. If the wood gives in with pressure and has a spongy texture, then you are dealing with wood rot. Use a decent flashlight to inspect the attic for discoloured wood. Perform the screwdriver test if you find any that matches this description. You need to examine the roof decking’s base, the edge of the attic where the eaves are fashioned out of angled rafters, and the intersection of logs at the rooftop. These are the best locations for wood rot to grow in the attic.
Use the flashlight to examine the wood in the crawl room or basement for discolouration around the border wood plate sitting directly on the concrete wall. Use the screwdriver test wherever necessary. Check the walls and floors to spot discolouration below sinks and catch water leakage around baths/tubs and the water heater.
How do we identify wet rot?
Identifying wet rot is not an easy feat, several forms of wet rot have different effects on timber. If a knife can be buried up to the hilt in painted timber, the wood is suffering from rot. Our damp-proofing experts are trained to identify the following:
- Localised fungal growth on timber
- The soft, spongy feel of timber; the affected area appears darker than the surrounding timber.
- The soft and spongy texture of rotting timber; the affected region often looks darker than the other parts.
- That spongy, soft feel timber gets when affected by wet rot; the affected parts are darker than the other areas.
- The spongy, soft texture of rotten timber; the infested area is darker than the other parts.
- The springy feeling that is an indicator of wet rot; the affected area is often darker than others around it.
- Crumbling of affected dry timber into particles.
- Dry timber crumbling into particles.
- The crumbling of infested timber into dry particles.
- Dried-out timber disintegrating into particles.
- The disintegration of rot-eaten timber into particles.
- Shrinking timber
- Bleaching wood in window and door frames
- Flaky or damaged paint
- A musty, damp smell
What to Do After You Detect Wet Rot?
You need to engage the help of a damp expert when you notice wet rot. The source of moisture must be identified and blocked to avoid similar cases in the future. For further information about treating wet rot, call us on 01273 257 765 and let Sussex Damp Experts help.
Wet Rot and Damp Proofing in Steyning
If you need help with Wet Rot or Damp Proofing you are in the right place. Call us immediately you spot any indication of damp or wet rot in timber around the house. By helping you fix the problem, you can save money on expensive repairs and also minimise the health risks attached to letting the decay progress unimpeded. One of our qualified damp surveyors will be able to determine the cause of the problem and the best course of action to rectify the issue.
Timber damp proofing is not a cosmetic treatment; it’s a maintenance strategy that’s designed to protect the timber from rot and decay. Protection for timber is possible in two ways.
Surface treatments are highly unreliable; they do not solve the problem and even end up escalating the issue. The only way out is to encapsulate the entire surface with a membrane, replace or treat the timber. Sussex Damp Experts can provide more information on wet rot treatment, call our experts on 01273 257 765 today to get started.
Wet Rot Treatment Specialists in Steyning
With 20 years experience tackling wet rot in Steyning, we are leading specialists offering free, no-commitment cost estimates and site surveys to a wide range of property owners. Our damp proofing team will pay you a visit and identify signs of moisture invasion and wet rot, we will then provide a lasting solution to fix the problem. Our team of experts can diagnose and treat all types of wet rot in properties using advanced methods.
Wet Rot Treatment in Steyning
Wet rot commonly attacks areas that remain damp due to constant exposure to moisture. However, when we treat wet rot, we do not just fix the damage caused by it. The problem must be treated at its source. We examine the pathways moisture takes in reaching the timber and block them all off, eliminating the possibility of a repeat case. Wet rot treatment should be handled by professionals who understand the process and can provide lasting solutions. Delay in treatment results in pricey repair work down the line. When you observe the development of fungi growth or hyphae strands, you are best off to engage the services of a specialist team of experts, such as Sussex Damp Experts.
We have the skills to get rid of wet rot. At Sussex Damp Experts, we quickly determine the source of the dampness and which areas have been most affected. Don’t delay any longer, call 01273 257 765 today or fill out the contact form.
Our Wet Rot Treatment Process in Steyning
The damage worsens the more you put off starting the treatment process. If you notice the presence of fungal rot at the early stages, treatment can be narrowed down to a small area. In situations where the rot has advanced across your timber’s breadth, you may need to get replacements for full timber beams or take on major repair work. Wet rot treatment comprises various steps. The treatment of wet rot involving timbers must start with addressing the root of the problem and preventing moisture from reaching the timber. If there is a seepage of water into your home or timber, regardless of whether the cause is broken guttering, condensation, or anything else, we locate the source of water/moisture ingress and take corrective action. Builders and contractors who lack expertise often resort to replacing the affected wood. Using chemical preservatives on the damaged area is usually the next step. This method will end in disaster. If you are unsure about the presence of wet rot in your building, no worries! Sussex Damp Experts is always ready to help you get rid of it and save your timber.
What happens to Wet Rot if left untreated?
If you fail to treat wet rot, the structural timber in your property will eventually weaken and, in certain cases, will prove a threat to the safety of residents in the home. When the rot settles in the timber, it becomes spongy and falls in if you poke it with a knife or screwdriver. The long-term effect is that the timber loses its structural integrity with time, and you also run the risk of condemning your building if the issue persists. Call Sussex Damp Experts 01273 257 765 to get started.
What is the cost of Wet Rot Treatment in Steyning?
Rot can have a devastating effect on any property. The cost of repairs and damp proofing is based on the type and extent of damage done to the timber, however, don’t be discouraged. With our experts who are always willing to help, you will find that wet rot treatment in Steyning doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We advise you on the best course of action to protect your home and your health.
How to prevent wet rot?
Wood must be ideally kept dry and treated to prevent the timber from decaying. You can also apply wood hardeners to protect the timber from the effects of rot. The wood becomes more resistant to moisture when coated with the hardener. The areas in a building that are most susceptible to damp include window sills and boxes, timbers touching stonework without being subjected to damp proofing treatment such as sealant and fungicide applications.
Talk to Our Wet Rot Treatment Experts Today!
If you want to speak to our experts for further information on wet rot treatment, call 01273 257 765 today and let Sussex Damp Experts help.
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