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

 

Dry Rot Mycelium

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

For more information click here

Peter Cox gets an A+ at Coatbridge School

Peter Cox have recently completed another prestigious refurbishment project. This time, helping turn the listed Coatbridge High School buildings into one primary school and one special needs school.

The work, for North Lanarkshire Council's Education Department, included the installation of a full damp proof course injection and mass irrigation against dry rot across 2000 square metres of walling. In addition 4,000 square metres of roof timbers were treated against woodworm infestation with repairs needed to 40 joist ends, the roof purlins and decking. The main technicians were Jimmy McAtasney and Stuart Barr.

The story dates back to September 2009 when CRGP Architects requested a site survey. Charlie Wilson spent six days going through the property with a fine-toothed comb and attended all the design meetings. Charlie's report was then included in Graham Construction's tender documents, helping them to secure the contract.

Along with Peter Cox, Wise Property Care and Richardson & Starling were invited to quote for the essential property treatments. Charlie and Manager Gary invested a further four days re-surveying the property. As usual, Charlie’s dogged determination came into play as he then chased the Contractor every second day for 3 months.  

Says Gary Bouse, "In January 2011 the final price was agreed but there were yet more hurdles to overcome as our competitors vied against us. We focused our attention solely on how we would contract and supervise the job."

"Eventually that focus paid off. The design team wanted us to do the work, we thought solely because of our persistence, pin-sharp pricing and professional approach. Our professional approach appeared to be the clincher for the deal. Apparently, this actually reinforced the site managers' belief in us and they actively pushed for us to be appointed!"

It just took going back to Coatbridge School to remind us of the professional advantage we have over our competition and to ensure that we continue to maintain our high standards!"

Peter Cox have since consulted on further measures to protect this beautiful, listed property long term. Thanks to the performance of the Technicians on the Coatbridge site, Peter Cox have also been recommended for further projects. John McHugh, Construction Director at Graham Construction, has advised that Peter Cox is now their preferred contractor.

Click on the links for more about damp proofing and dry rot treatement.

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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Email: headoffice@petercox.com