Dry Rot Treatment in Deptford, 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 require a suitable place to land and start their colonies before spreading through the underlying wood. Many of the spores are already present in woods that are already affected by dry rot and in the soil.

It also means that dry rot cannot live in so-called “humidified” lumber that is kept at 15% moisture with a wetted surface. While Dry Rot can be harder to spot, it is potentially more damaging than wet rot. It normally occurs where you are not looking. They can be under your floorboards, behind the plaster or in your loft. And while you might be tempted to ignore the signs, it’s crucial to identify them and take action immediately.

What is the difference between dry rot and wet rot?

Dry rot and wet rot are different because they have different species. The biggest difference between dry rot and wet rot is the moisture that wet rod needs in order to spread. Wet rot spreads quicker, which means it can consume more of your property much faster than dry 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. Wet rot can occur on drier timber, but it generally spreads further when it becomes wet.

What are the causes of dry rot?

Dry rot is caused by different species of fungi. The most commonly found in the Deptford is Serpula Lacrymans. it can spread from your home’s walls to the floors, and even the plaster is not fixed soon enough. Blocking up your timber may save on heating/cooling costs, but it may also affect the structural integrity of your entire house. Dry rot attacks when you have an unhealthy amount of moisture in your timber. This will attract the fungus that will use this moisture to extract nutrients. The word “dry rot” is used to differentiate between “wet wood” and “dry wood rot.”

Wet wood survives on the dry rot. While fungal spores need over 30% wetness to generate hyphae after this, these hyphae only need 20% wetness to survive. 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’ll need a private survey to tell if your wood deterioration is caused by dry rot or another kind of fungus. This is very important as the treatments for these damages will differ depending on the exact cause.

The dangers of dry rot in Deptford

Dry Rot Effect on your Property

Dry rot can be highly detrimental to the integrity of your home. Dry Rot will slowly and silently break down the structural timber of your property. In serious cases, this can trigger various parts of your house to break apart. It won’t attack the mortar between your bricks or stones, but it can travel through it. That is why routine checks are necessary.

Dry rot is a ravaging condition that affects your home and must be addressed immediately. It is important to call a Dry Rot Expert immediately before your home sustains serious damage. If you think you might have a problem with dry rot, get a survey from Southern Damp Proofing today.

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. If you suffer from respiratory problems, asthma or allergies and don’t have a smoke alarm, then this guide is for you.

What are the Warning Signs of Dry Rot?

The earlier you discover dry rot, the less time and money you’ll need to spend treating it and initiating remedial works. If you see some of the signs and symptoms listed below, a complete examination is recommended.

The beginning of the dry rot cycle

The spores are carried by wind. They may be nocturnal but they will also feed on timber during the day if there are carried onto timber. When they feed on it, they will then germinate and create hyphae, if the timber is giving them enough nutrients to do so. As these hyphae grow and feed, they will join up into a spider web-looking collection called mycelium. Mycelium can be light grey to pure white. Mycelium is mostly found between property’s bricks, mortar and plaster and can also try and spread into timber greatly.

Your timber is damaged.

It affects every part of the wood, from the bark to the core, causing it to wither and die. This could lead to the collapse of your timber. You might notice rot in new wood darkening your wood color. 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. The distinctive symptom of white rot in wood is a creamy colour to the wood due to a white fungal growth called “hyphae”. Hyphae are spider-like fungal growth, they look like cobwebs and are a common symptom of dry rot.

Your timber will smell.

Dry rot attacks the timber, leaving it with a distinct fungal and musty odour. This can occur even if you can’t see a dry rot outbreak. However, it may be that there is just a smell rather than rot.

Your timber will have fungus bodies on it.

This is the final stage of dry rot and the most noticeable. Fruiting bodies like Mushroom can start to attach themselves to your wood. As the timber dries out, the fungus inside can no longer feed off the timber, in order to survive, it pumps its spores out to infect more wood.

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.

Spores related to dry rot do not only exist in wood damaged by dry rot. It could be a sign of dry rot if you see splots of rusty colored dust embedded decomposed spores. Fruiting bodies release this spore dust in the last stage of the dry rot cycle.

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Dry Rot Treatment in Deptford

Only when moisture levels are over 20 percent will a dry rot infestation occur. The first defense to eliminate the presence of fungus lies on controlling the levels of moisture in your living space or property. You are now in charge of the moisture levels. We suggest that you consult a professional for your dry rot treatment.

Southern Damp Proofing are able to assist you with any contaminated timber removal and any remedial works. Affected timber removal should be handled by a professional. The required treatment lies on the knowledge of a dam proofing expert. Some treatments are injected into the timber, others coat the surface of the timber. Options for preventive treatment are many. If inhaled or injected accidentally, these chemicals may cause negative side effects because they require a specific attention.

An expert can insert into your timber Boron rods. Boron is a hazardous material, hence damp proofing experts wear the protective clothing. Our damp proofing team will find and fix your leaks and resolve any dry rot damage. If left untreated, dry rot can lead to the structural failure of a wooden structure. If dry rot is not treated promptly, it can spread across your property and do real harm. Our high-performance products and extensive experience allow us to efficiently address your damp proofing problems.* Please don’t wait until it’s too late. If you think you have a problem with dry rot, call 020 7971 1329 for a free survey, and effective treatment today.

How can you prevent dry rot damage in Deptford?

The elimination of dry rot is the first treatment process. A dry rot infestation will occur in any wooden areas of the house that traps ample water and is subject to moisture/moisture ingress. Here are several techniques that will save them from forming: Always ensure there are no leaks in your property. Provide proper, sufficient ventilation.

Well, ventilate and enclose the attic. Correctly ventilate crawl spaces. Waterproof the exterior of your home by sealing the basement and crawlspace floors with our durable, waterproof sealers. To ensure the water is correctly guided, check all flickering walls and roofs. Ensure clear downspouts and drains. Check for filling/heating leakage if a “wet” device is used. 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 Deptford

We are equipped to deal with any damp proofing or dry rot problems affecting your property or home. We will perform a full damp survey of the property and give you a free estimate before we start any work.

Over the years, we supported the damp concerns of thousands of home Deptford owners and could even benefit you. To book a free survey and quote, call us now 020 7971 1329. I am an expert in dry rot and timber treatment. I can visit your property to identify the extent of the infestation and recommend a solution specific to your requirements. This allows us to give impartial recommendations and advice on the type of treatment you will need. Our inspectors are completely trained and can recognise anything from dry red to moisture, including the solution, and provide you with a reasonable cost for any remediation.

Dry rot is caused by moisture getting into the wood, it is important to contact us right away because dry rot can spread quickly. Contact Southern Damp Proofing Services for quality damp proofing services on 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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