Dry Rot Treatment in Bermondsey, London

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What is dry rot?

Dry rot is a common term for various kinds of wood-decay fungus. The wood is broken down by fungi, as the Mycelium decomposes the wood, resulting in fine dust particles that are made of sawdust and wood chips, forming colonized areas that are referred to as fungal blooms. Dry rot fungal spores need an adequate place to land and begin their colonies before they disperse through the underlying wood. A lot of these spores are present in soil and old wood already infected by dry rot.

This means that dry rot can re-infect even treated wood if it is damp enough (i.e., below 15% relative humidity). Dry rot attacks the structural parts of a property such as floor joists and rafters undetected, unlike wet rot which can only attack damp timber. It normally occurs where you are not looking. This could be found behind the plaster, beneath your floorboards, or even in your loft. As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to understand the telltale signs of dry rot so you can act fast.

What is the difference between dry rot and wet rot?

Dry rot and wet rot are two different kinds of fungus that can destroy wood if left untreated. Unlike dry rot which can spread in minimal amounts of water, wet rot is dependent on significant moisture to spread. Contrarily, dry rot does not spread as easily as wet rot. This is because it’s less invasive than conventional treatments that use capillaries to banish the Dry rot issue. Dry rot is extremely destructive and spreads quickly through a house, even retaining its ruinous effects if the room has been previously treated for damp or wet rot. The consequences of wet rot fungus are not that serious, the decay is confined to areas where the timber becomes and remains wet.

What are the causes of dry rot?

A number of fungi cause dry rot. The most popular one in Bermondsey is Serpula Lacrymans. If it is not managed soon enough, it will spread across your home and brick and stone, and even plaster. Structural issues with the timber will seriously compromise your houses structural integrity. Dry rot attacks when you have an unhealthy amount of moisture in your timber. This will attract the fungus that will then provide nutrients. The term “dry rot” is used to distinguish between “dry wood rot” and “wet wood.”

Wet wood survives on the dry rot. Those spores are dry, and those hyphae only need 20% dampness to grow into fungi while fungal spores require above 30% wet to generate hyphae. These hyphae can grow into a fungal body called a mycelium, which can also spread to find more timber in stone and brick. Once the rot has taken over, it weakens the wood and leaves behind a skeleton structure of the wood, removing H2O, cellulose and hemicellulose from your wood. You need an expert to examine your property and determine whether your rotting timber is a result of dry rot or a different type of fungus. It’s important to note that not all treatments will work for every case of nicotine damage.

The dangers of dry rot in Bermondsey

Dry Rot Effect on your Property

Dry rot can be highly detrimental to the integrity of your home. Dry Rot is a fungus that attacks timber by breaking it down, causing timber to crumble. But a slow leak could expand over time, and in extreme circumstances, cause various parts of your home to fall. Dry rot, however, does not attack your brick or stone; it only travels across it. Regular checks are extremely important.

Dry Rot can cause extensive damage, and it is vital that you get to it as soon as possible. You should call a dry rot expert immediately to avoid further infestation and damage. If you’re worried about dry rot, an inspection from our expert team can help you avoid major problems in the future.

Dry Rot Effect on Your personal health

It’s not the disease that causes dry rot that is dangerous. Regrettably, if dry rot does occur, the structural damage may be extensive to your health. This is especially precarious for the elderly, children and anyone with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

What are the Warning Signs of Dry Rot?

Treatment and remedial works are substantially more expensive than early detection and prevention. If you see any of the signs and symptoms listed below, a full assessment is recommended.

The beginning of the dry rot cycle

The spores of the dry rot fungus are carried by the wind across large distances. If they are carried onto timber, they will begin to feed on it. When the wood has enough moisture, it allows fungal spores of Armillaria mellea to germinate and create hyphae, if the timber is giving them enough nutrients to do so. As these hyphae expand and eat, they may enter a spider web-like array called mycelium. Mycelium can be light grey to pure white. The mycelium that compose these mushrooms are very powerful and can leach into porous areas like mortar, bricks and plaster to try and reach more timber.

Your timber is damaged.

If the wood is infected by dry rot, it can become flexible and dry. This could lead to the collapse of your timber. The first sign of dry rot is darkening of the wood. Scientists have discovered that dry rot can lead to something called cuboidal cracking. Cuboidal cracking occurs when the wood breaks into cubes that are about 50 mm in width. This damaged timber will also often have hyphae, the white fungal growth. Hyphae can look like cobwebs and is a common symptom of dry rot.

Your timber will smell.

If you smell a strong, fungal, dank and musty odour in your timber, it is likely to be affected by dry rot. This can occur even if you can’t see a dry rot outbreak. The smell doesn’t necessarily mean dry rot is present.

Your timber will have fungus bodies on it.

Dry rot is the most noticeable kind of wood rot and one of the final stages of fungal attack. Fruiting bodies like Mushroom can start to attach themselves to your wood. They arise when dry rot can no longer feed on wood, so the fungus has to pump spores out rather.

Damp Proofing Can Help Prevent

  • Rising / Penetrating Damp
  • Ingress of Water
  • Salt Crystallization
  • Plaster Breakdown
  • Damp Staining
  • Wet Rot / Dry Rot

Your timber will have spore dust.

Dry rot does not just occur in timber that is already affected. It is a sign of dry rot when splotches of corroded dust embedded dry rot spores. In the final cycle of the dry rot, fertile bodies deliver this spore dust.

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Dry Rot Treatment in Bermondsey

Only when the moisture is over 20% will a dry rot invasion take place. The first prevention step to eradicating the presence of the fungus is the monitoring of moisture levels in your property. Then the moisture levels will be under your control. We advise you to commission an expert in order to treat dry rot.

Southern Damp Proofing will help remove ant timber removal and other remedial works. Removing affected timber needs to be actioned by a professional. A professional damp proofing expert will know the required treatment. Timber treatment can be into the timber, or on the surface of the timer. Preventive treatment options are many, These chemicals require specific concentrations and can have unpleasant side effects if inhaled or injected accidentally.

A professional can determine if your timber needs Boron rods. Boron is a harmful item, therefore the protective clothing is worn by damp proofing experts. We use our specialist team at Damp Proofing to find any issues with dry rot, and assess the extent of the issue. Dry rots can be a severe issue and need to be treated right away. If left untreated, dry rot can expand and cause great damage. We will provide a damp proofing solution that is right for your needs. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Call today 020 7971 1329, for a free survey, and effective treatment of dry rot.

How can you prevent dry rot damage in Bermondsey?

The first step in treatment is to avoid dry rot. Wooden areas of the property, which capture ample water and which are subject to moisture/humidity, can contribute to a dry red infestation. Here are some practices that will prevent them from forming: Make sure there are no leaks in your house. Make available sufficient ventilation.

Properly ventilate and insulate your attic. Ventilate crawl spaces correctly. Waterproof the exterior of your home by sealing the basement and crawlspace floors with our durable, waterproof sealers. Examine all areas of the roof and wall surrounding the chimney from top to bottom, ensuring that water is being directed away from the chimney properly. Keep drains and downspouts clear. Check for plumbing/heating leaks if using a “wet” system. Owing to the humid conditions needed for dry rot fungus to be fed and germinated, the easiest way to reduce the possibility of dry rot is to decrease moisture levels. For example, if you have a pipe that is leaking, plugging the leak can help prevent dry rot.

Speak to a Dry Rot specialist in Bermondsey

Our professional damp proofers and dry rot specialists are experts in the field and we provide both expert advice and effective solutions. We offer a free, no obligation site survey, so you know exactly how much the work will cost before we start.

Over the years, with their damp concerns, we have helped thousands of Bermondsey homeowners, and we will support you too. You can get in touch with us for a free consultation and quote on 020 7971 1329. A trained professional can examine the area to identify the source of your water damage, and recommend a solution. This helps us to offer unbiased guidance and advice about the sort of care you will require. All of our surveyors are qualified and can identify everything, including the solution, from Dry Rot to moisture input, and provide you with an affordable price for any remedial work.

Dry rot is very destructive and can quickly spread through a home causing an irreversible amount of damage to the entire house, it is essential to reach us immediately. The South Damp Proofing services will assist you in solving your dry rot dilemma by e-mail or calling the phone 020 7971 1329.

FAQ’s

Where can dry rot grow?

In any wood with a high level of moisture, dry rot can develop. As it can look like other problems at its early stages, it is important to seek advice as soon as possible. Dry rot can completely destroy a wood structure no matter the age. This reason is because it is affected by moisture and wetness that can take place anywhere.   Dry rot can be caused by leaks or weather, meaning the type of property does not affect it.

How can I confirm that I have dry rot?

It’s better to conduct a survey if you know your timber is having trouble and is vulnerable to moisture. After some time, fruiting bodies and mycelium will appear in the drive rot life-cycle.

Is dry rot serious?

It can cause long-term damage to the building if dry rot is left unchecked because it is one of the most severe forms of moisture that can manifest in property.

If dry rot is left unchecked what will happen?

Dry rot is one of the most severe forms of moisture that can show itself in the property and will eventually cause irreversible damage to the building if left untreated. Often, it doesn’t come to light until the harm is done because of the areas where the concern is likely to be the appearance of dry rot. How do I manage dry not After the reason your timber moist is identified, this can be fixed. If the cause of your timber moisture is on the surface, a different solution shall be provided.

Will dry rot stretch?

Yes, because the living fungus causes dry rot.   This implies that if the spring of the nutrient is depleted, there will be a new source.

 

How wide is Dry Rot able to spread?

Anywhere with proper environment conditions you can have dry rot spores spread. The reason is, they emerged in the atmosphere. If your timber has a moisture content of around 20%, and if it is in the open air, these conditions are attractive to dry rot fungus. This also means that groups of fungus can spread across many materials. If dry rot spreads through masonry and plaster, and if more wood is reached to feed off where the timber is wet. It will stretch more. Proper temperature, oxygen, moisture, food source and drive rot spores are the five things dry rot fungus needs to survive.   Most of this is present in any home in the UK in some capacity.

How do I discover how far Dry Rot has spread?

If you have traced the dry rot fungus quickly or not, a professional will identify the source of the problem. They will be capable of finding the bacteria in the different masonry and plaster from which it has spread.

Can my dry rot problem be treated effectively by you?

Our specialist qualified surveyors and consultants can address and rectified, any dry rot problem and ensure that your  timber is secured for the future.

Should I restore or replace dry rot?

It is possible to repair certain levels of dry rot, but it is not recommended if the damaged areas provide the home with structural integrity, such as beams and joints, or even flooring for that matter. In those cases, instead of repairing it, you should replace the wood. If you restore or rebuild the wood, it is better if you have eliminated the conditions that caused the rot to flourish in the first place or risked it coming back. Check for roof leaks, broken gutters or downspouts, plumbing leaks and/or inadequate ventilation to find the source of moisture accumulation. You can consult an expert to assist you trace and fix the problem.

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