Wet Rot
Award-Winning wer rot treatment specialists who can provide professional advice, carry out a property survey and provide effective treatment solutions.
- 30 Year Wet Rot Treatment Guarantee
- Experienced & Qualified, Wet Rot Specialists
- Property Care Association Awards Winner
Have you noticed any signs of wet rot damage within your property? If so, this page will provide all the needed information about wet rot causes, potential threats and ways on how to get rid of this timber destroying problem.
This damp caused problem can do some serious damage to the structural integrity of your property. It is important that your home is inspected by a qualified and experienced wet rot specialist as incorrect specification will lead to wrong repairs being done. Let’s discuss your property problem get in touch with your local branch.
What Causes Wet Rot?
Wet rot is initially caused by the timber being affected by moisture. Any type of damp can raise the moisture content of the timber above 20% which causes the wet rot spores to germinate and attack the timber. There are various types of damp problems that can affect your property: rising damp, plumbing leaks, condensation and penetrating damp. Most of the time damp conditions are created due to failure in the damp proof course, faulty plumbing, leaking gutters, faulty roof coverings and poor external render.
Damp affected timbers become a perfect environment for rot to grow by feeding on the wood cells and degrading the timber. Wet rot can often lead to major structural damage if it is left to grow unchecked as it weakens the timber. Fortunately, this type of rot does not spread through masonry and only affects the localised damp timber.
How to Identify Wet Rot?
Rot problems can look very similar. Wood that has been affected by wet rot is typically soft and spongy and often has a darker appearance than normal wood, due to the moisture content and the fungal growth. If you are making an initial assessment these are the common signs that you can look for:
- Discolouration of timber is often present
- Paint finish can appear damaged, highlighting the cracked timber below
- Timber is likely to feel soft and spongy to the touch
- Visible fungus (mycelium) strands may appear on the timber
- Wet Rot stays to the damp area and does not spread
- Rot affected timber shrinks and causes cracking to the timber
- Damp musty smell.
Thankfully this type of rot attack does not spread as far as dry rot, although it can still cause severe structural damage if left untreated. If there is no obvious fungus present on the wood it is often difficult to determine if it’s affected by wet rot or dry rot. One of our property care surveyors can identify the type of rot that is affecting your property and specify the necessary treatment to eradicate the problem. Get in touch with your local branch for advice or a property survey.
Wet Rot Treatment & Repair
The first and most crucial part of any wet rot treatment is to identify and cut off the source of moisture. This is done by repairing the property defect or installing a damp proof barrier to protect against further damp penetration. Our preservation specialists will repair affected timber by completely replacing decayed timbers or by treating them with a fungicidal solution.
There are different stages of wet rot and therefore different levels of wet rot treatment. Here at Richardson & Starling, we have experience in repairing all types of property no matter how big or small. In order to give you peace of mind we are ready to support our rot repair works with a 30 year guarantee you can trust. Get in touch with your local wet rot specialists for advice or a property survey.
Wet Rot Treatment in Aberdeen
Water penetration through defective external pointing to this timber clad property had resulted in an attack of wet rot affecting the internal floor joist ends and wall plate which were repaired and treated to make the floor sound again. Excessive moisture to the external cladding timbers had also resulted in a wet rot attack and the affected timbers were repaired and protected with an appropriate microporous paint system.
Read MoreProperty Survey
Our qualified wet rot specialist will closely investigate the affected area and measure the scale of the problem. At Richardson and Starling, we only supply experienced surveyors who are highly trained in all types of rot and damp problems that could affect your property. This means that our surveyor will be able to complete the survey and give the appropriate remedial recommendations no matter what problem is identified.
30 Year Guarantee
Free automatic transfer to the new property owner if sold.
30 Year Guarantee for Wet Rot Treatment
After eight decades of successful property surveys and repairs, we’re confident to offer you a 30 Year Guarantee that transfers with the Property.
Richardson & Starling are long standing members of the Property Care Association (PCA) and the QANW. This demonstrates our ability to meet technical and financial requirements to offer an insurance back-up to our own long term guarantees if you would like this.
Work you can trust
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