Property expert advises homeowners to check for water damage after recent bad weather

As the country starts to clean up and assess the damage of the recent storms, the UK market leaders in property maintenance, Peter Cox, advise homeowners and landlords to carry out a few basic checks, to look for any penetration of rainwater.

Richard Walker said:  “Water damage can have a devastating effect on a building and can cause damage after even minimal rain. Some problems, if left unchecked, can lead to thousands of pounds worth of property damage or could even compromise your health.”

When people think of rain damage they usually assume it will come from the roof but that is not always the case. Leaks and water penetration can also occur through walls, the chimney, windows and doors, and if you have experienced water tables and floods, even up through the floors.

First, look for standing water on drive ways and outside your property.  This is a tell-tale sign that water is not draining away. It could be rectified by cleaning drains to allow the water to run off – however, if this fails it could mean that water is not draining away and could be running into your building. If you have a cellar or basement, check it for leaks, damp, mould and standing puddles of water.

Gutters should be inspected and cleaned for any blockages.  If water overflows it could seep into your building masonry. This will eventually become visible as a damp patch on the internal wall surface - often causing discolouration and peeling or flaking of paintwork or wallpaper and even plaster damage.

This in turn may turn into mould. Mould fungi are not always visible as they prefer dark, moist areas and so can colonise inaccessible parts of the home such as wall cavities, insulation or under floorboards. Some types of mould can cause health problems especially for the very young and the very old.

Richard said:  “Mould won’t appear immediately after water leakage, but if you have found water, we recommend you keep checking for mould on a regular basis as it could take a few weeks to appear.”

Dry rot and wet rot in the home are the most frequent and serious causes of timber damage in domestic properties. Both types of ‘rot’ can cause widespread damage to the timber and affect its strength and severely damage a building. Roof failure, leaking gutters and poor sub-floor ventilation can be the starting point for the rot to get a foothold.

The first evidence of a dry rot outbreak may be a mushroom-like fruiting body or fine grey-white hyphae strands spreading over the wood, which can appear overnight. Although it is called 'dry rot', dampness is a key factor, so dealing with any sources of moisture is the first action to take, and then ventilate the area to aid the drying process.

“The problem with water is that in some cases damage is not always immediately apparent,” said Richard.  “If your home has taken a battering in the storms and you find areas where water or damp is evident, keep a watchful eye for problems as they can sometimes take a few weeks or even months to develop into something that will become a lot worse.”

Further information on water damage and is treatment is available at www.petercox.com

The Dangers of Dry Rot

Every year, homeowners across the UK spend large amounts of money on extensive renovations to repair damage caused by dry rot. Dry rot is caused by the presence of damp, moisture and condensation in the home, and can cause serious damage to your property affecting walls, floors, and structural timber. Unlike wet rot, dry rot can spread far beyond the point where moisture and damp have entered the home, meaning a dry rot infection must be detected and eliminated as quickly as possible, lest further damage to the home occur.

In order to prevent dry rot, one must ensure their home is protected against the entry of damp, condensation and moisture. For a long-term solution, seek assistance from an experienced dry rot treatment company such as Peter Cox. A reputable contractor with over five decades of experience in providing a range of property services such as wet rot and dry rot treatment, damp proofing, basement waterproofing and woodworm treatment, their dry rot treatments can repair damage to structural timber caused by dry rot and, through the use of such products as their DryWall +  damp proof course, can prevent the dry rot from ever returning.

What Causes Dry Rot?

Dry rot occurs when timber is exposed to moisture or comes into contact with damp masonry. The growth and spread of the dry rot fungus depends on certain environmental conditions - damp, stagnant conditions combined with lack of proper ventilation provide the ideal environment for the development of dry rot. Such damp conditions may occur for a number of reasons, such as internal plumbing leaks, condensation  or rain water penetration from outside the house.

Usually, the first signs of an outbreak may be the sudden appearance of a mushroom-like fruiting body or fine grey-white hyphae strands. The affected timber will become dry and brittle, and will crumble to the touch.

What are the Dangers of Dry Rot?

Dry rot can grow through damp masonry, brickwork and behind plaster, causing widespread structural damage. Dry rot’s ability to spread so rapidly can make treatment more complicated than with other types of rot - but if left untreated, the fungus can spread through an entire property, causing severe damage to structural timber and masonry which could lead to collapse.

The presence of dry rot itself doesn’t affect human health. However, its presence in a home may indicate high levels of dampness and condensation, which can cause respiratory problems and lead to other problems which can affect the health of you and your property, such as woodworm, wet rot, and mould growth. If you suspect a dry rot outbreak in the home, it is important to arrange a dry rot survey from an experienced property maintenance company such as Peter Cox.

Prevention and Treatment

Detect the Source of Damp: As dry rot is caused by damp and moisture entering the home, it is important to thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior of your home to find any source of damp. With professional assistance from Peter Cox’s dry rot specialists, you will be easily able to identify such sources like leaking gutters, rising damp, water leaks and poor ventilation that can also contribute to the problem.

Damp Proofing Treatment: You can also make your home more resistant to damp penetration with the help of Peter Cox’s damp proofing specialists. Peter Cox’s DryWall Thermotek masonry protection cream is applied to walls affected by damp as part of the damp proofing process and will help to prevent damp entering the home, thus not only helping prevent dry rot problems, but also helping to retain heat and thus conserving energy levels. Because of its eco-friendly, energy-saving properties (a single-coat application can yield an energy saving of 29%), the DryWallThermotek solution qualifies for a 5% VAT rate.

Dry Rot Elimination: Remove all infected timber and replace with pre-treated timber. Any remaining timbers at risk of being affected by the dry rot should be treated with an effective fungicide. Where the dry rot has passed through the masonry, it should be treated with a water-based biocide.

Dry rot is one of the most damaging conditions a property can suffer. If not controlled immediately, the condition can cause enormous damage in a short period of time. It is absolutely essential to take proper preventive and remedial steps with the help of dry rot experts such as Peter Cox in time to control the growth of the fungal decay.

For more information about dry rot please see:  http://www.petercox.com/dryrotcontrol.php

 

Sub floor ventilation, why spending a few pounds today could save you thousands tomorrow...

Often overlooked, sub floor ventilation is critical to the health of your home. If damp is at work, out of sight, under your floor boards, you could be accumulating a hefty bill that you could so easily avoid.

So let’s take a walk up to your front door and just see whether you’re harbouring a potential problem with your property.  First of all, what’s not original about your home? Has anyone added an extension, a new driveway or path? Are your borders raised with soil? Is there a car port, conservatory, porch or patio addition? Are there areas of decking or raised planters and flower boxes?  If so, the chances are that your air bricks which provide essential sub floor ventilation could be partially or completely blocked. 

Says Richard Walker, National Development Manager for Peter Cox Property Services, “It’s amazing how something so apparently small and insignificant as an air brick or two can impact on your home life so hugely.  I’ve even seen vents closed off deliberately with pieces of slate to ‘stop any draughts’ and others cemented over completely!

“But that’s precisely where all the problems start. Air bricks or air vents are normally fitted just above your property’s damp proof course and their job is to let air flow right through your property from front to back or side to side. This helps maintain the correct moisture level in your underfloor void.  Keep the moisture content to below 15% and you should be fine.  But once the level starts creeping up, then you can develop problems in the joists and floor timbers leading to, mould, damp, musty smells and eventually devastating Dry Rot.

“Modern properties usually have air-bricks spaced at around 1.5m apart but in older properties it can be very arbitrary, as can the size of the vents and what they’re made from.

“How are you to know if your sub floor ventilation is all it should be without a simple underfloor survey with a moisture meter?”

“These days”, says Richard, “as the water table is rising, and flooding more widespread, the problem really needs addressing early  - an ounce of prevention being better than thousands of pounds worth of cure. You can even help yourself by removing cobwebs, leaves and debris that can block vents. We’ll gladly show you how to keep them clear and clean with the minimum of effort.

So should you check your property’s sub floor ventilation?  The simple answer is yes. If you live in a home built before 1980, particularly in a pre-war, Victorian or even older home, it’s really worth a small investment now to have experts run a quick check for you. If your house is at pavement level, particularly in terraced properties, you really need to know what’s going on under the floor. If you notice your floors bounce, shift, creak or appear to be dropping away from the skirting boards – these are all tell-tale signs that the underfloor joists are already affected by moisture. Even if the problem is established, an early investigation can still help prevent it getting worse.

Says Richard, “Our inspections are hassle-free and don’t take long, although we do need to be thorough!  With the right meters, specialist know-how and equipment, the surveyors can be in and out in a very short time.  You will get a full report with any recommendations so you can breathe easy. I mean that quite literally. Diagnosing a damp or inadequately ventilated sub floor void early can actually help you avoid the mould and fungal decay spores which some people, particularly the young and old can be allergic to.

“If we do find sub floor ventilation problems, the reassuring news is that often we won’t even need to disturb your day to fix them. New air vents can be fitted from outside your property to achieve the necessary air flow and rectify your problem.  Where a property is at street level, we can’t lower the pavement but we can fit periscope vents to introduce air flow. Whatever solution we provide, it will be right for your property.”

Richard continues, “Recently, we worked on six houses near York racecourse, all of them affected by the raised water table and subsequently Dry Rot. Early detection in one house was key to the whole street agreeing to fix its mutual problem at source. The size and style of property isn’t the issue. The survey is similar wherever we go. It’s quick, easy and inexpensive so why wouldn’t you want to have your house checked out.

The fact is that you can protect your home and your family with just a little professional insight before problems have a chance to manifest.  You’re not only spending a little to save a lot, you’re also making one small investment to help protect your family’s long term health and well-being.

Depending on the circumstances, Peter Cox Property Services offer some surveys free of charge. The team will also consult for a quoted fee before you purchase a property, giving you extra confidence that you’re making the right move.

To discuss your property or to arrange a survey, please get in touch with your nearest office of Peter Cox Property Services at http://www.petercox.com/regions.php or you can also call 0800 789 500 to talk to the experts and we’ll send a surveyor with local knowledge of your area.

Elf cup fungus

Elf cup fungus is likely to be found in damp brickwork or plaster in buildings. The fungi require a damp environment and may feed off organic material in the walls or plaster.

It is important to locate and remove the sources of moisture, and to dry the structure and surfaces.

Elf cup and other species of Plaster fungi including Ink cap do not require any preservative treatment.

For more information about dry rot and wet control, and to arrange for a professional survey, contact Peter Cox.

Further timber defect image - dry rot

Dry rot sporophore

Dry rot sporophore within the sub-floor void due to lack of ventilation.

Dry Rot Mycelium

Timber defects: dry rot mycelium within sub-floor void due to lack of sub-floor ventilation.

For more information click here

5 key questions about dry rot treatment

5 key questions about dry rot treatment

What is dry rot?

Dry rot is a fungus, which attacks timber in buildings. It is the most serious form of timber decay, and can spread rapidly if not treated. The true dry rot fungus (‘Serpula lacrymans’) likes the dark and tends to grow under floors or behind panelling. The first evidence of an outbreak may be the mushroom like fruiting body which can appear overnight.

Other Dry rot symptoms include cracking or shrinking of the timber; it becomes dry and brittle, may darken in colour and will crumble at your touch. Characteristic dry rot smells like mushrooms can often be detected.

What causes dry rot?

The dry rot prospers in badly ventilated damp areas or where timber is in contact with damp masonry. Where moisture is 20% or over, spores can germinate which spread the fungus.

The fungus is likely to spread through an entire building and affect timber including floorings and furniture. Dry rot is not likely to be found on timber that is constantly wet and or permanently dry.

When should dry rot be treated?

True dry rot is malignant and will travel rapidly, even through walls, to attack timber.

Remedial action is urgent and you should contact Peter Cox immediately if you see the white or silver/grey growth or reddish brown fruiting body (mushroom) or the red dust of spreading spores. It is most important to get a survey straight away and tackle the problem.

What is a suitable dry rot treatment?

Although it is called ‘dry rot’, dampness is a key factor. Poor roofing, leaking gutters, rising damp, water leaks and poor ventilation can all contribute to the problem – so dealing with any sources of moisture is the first set of actions.

Timber can be treated with fungicides to prevent infection. Adjacent masonry can also be treated with a biocide.

Infected timbers need to be removed and the full extent of the attack exposed before the preventative treatment for dry rot is put in place.

Check out Peter Cox Commercial dry rot control (http://www.petercox.com/commercial-dryrotcontrol.php) page for relevant case studies.

When is treatment needed?

Dry rot is a serious concern that requires experienced and professional technical assistance to achieve an effective long-term solution.

The questions you need to ask about your contractor are:

· Do they specialise in dry rot and timber treatment?
· Are they an established business with case studies and references?
· Are they reasonably local and convenient for you?
· Do they use quality products?

A reputable contractor will give you a free consultancy visit, explain the issues and options, and make a clear proposal that is easy to understand.

You can see Peter Cox’s track record for dry rot and wet rot control here http://www.petercox.com/dryrotcontrol.php.

Peter Cox is the country’s leading dry rot specialists. We have experienced timber treatment technicians near you so click here to arrange your survey.

For enquiries call us free on 0800 030 4701.

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