What is Wet Rot?
This type of rot can be found in wet timber. It distorts the timber, making it swell and separating the fibres, which eventually leads to crumbling and loss of strength in the structure. Wet rot can speed up the decay process, making timber lose its structural integrity and eventually collapse. Exposure to sources of moisture is the root cause of wet rot in structural wood. This may be from the ‘wet’ side of a house, penetrating damp or faulty plumbing. Wet rot is fungi, it spreads to timbers close-by and causes damage.
What is the Difference Between Dry Rot and Wet Rot?
Dry rot triggers quick and extensive damage to structural timber as it spreads through the affected property. Wet rot, while occurring more often, causes less harm; the waterlogged areas on the timber suffer virtually all the damage. In the absence of obvious fungus, we can differentiate Wet Rot from the Dry Rot by observing the differences in the timber colour and the type/size of cracking seen on the timber with the progression of either type of rot.
What causes Wet Rot?
Certain environmental conditions influence the emergence of wet rot spores. The major cause of wet rot is moist timber. Moisture facilitates the growth of the Wet Rot fungus. As a result, signs of decay become visible on the timber.
The Dangers of Wet Rot in Kent
Wet rot is a serious problem. It can cause irreparable damage to your home and reduce its value. If you find wet rot in your home, you must treat it quickly or risk allowing the infection to spread. A recent survey asked 2,038 London homeowners if they ever noticed wet rot in their homes, where the rot was found, and also if they had any success preventing a recurrence.
Damp Proofing Can Help Prevent
- Rising / Penetrating Damp
- Ingress of Water
- Salt Crystallization
- Plaster Breakdown
- Damp Staining
- Wet Rot / Dry Rot
What are the Warning Signs of Wet Rot?
The progression of the fungus from its appearance to become a pervasive issue depends on the moisture it is exposed to. Some noticeable signs include a musty smell, wallpaper peeling, the central heating boiler malfunctioning, and cookers not working properly. Common areas where wet rot occurs include beneath the kitchen sink, along external walls, attics and roof spaces. Wet rot typically attacks older buildings constructed using timber frames rather than modern species such as Meranti and Sapele. Timber below ground level and as high as the one-floor level are also vulnerable to wet rot. Identifying it when it appears is the first step towards getting rid of wet or dry rot. If you have reason to believe that your home has been infested by wet rot, then you should conduct a damp survey at once.
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How and When Should I Look for Wood Rot?
Searching your home for any signs of wood rot or damp should be done annually, just like spring cleaning. The period just before winter; during your weatherproofing activities, is a good time for it. The inspection requires a long-handle screwdriver as well as a powerful flashlight.
Using the flashlight to check out discolouration on the perimeter wood plate on the concrete basement wall, study the wood in a crawl space (sill plate) or basement. Use the screwdriver test on any discoloured regions you come across. Inspect the floors and walls around baths/tubs, under sinks, and the water heater for any sign of discolouration or water leakage.
How do we identify wet rot?
- Localised fungal growth on timber
- The soft, spongy feel of timber; the affected area appears darker than the surrounding timber.
- The soft and spongy texture of rotting timber; the affected region often looks darker than the other parts.
- That spongy, soft feel timber gets when affected by wet rot; the affected parts are darker than the other areas.
- The spongy, soft texture of rotten timber; the infested area is darker than the other parts.
- The springy feeling that is an indicator of wet rot; the affected area is often darker than others around it.
- Crumbling of affected dry timber into particles.
- Dry timber crumbling into particles.
- The crumbling of infested timber into dry particles.
- Dried-out timber disintegrating into particles.
- The disintegration of rot-eaten timber into particles.
- Shrinking timber
- Bleaching wood in window and door frames
- Flaky or damaged paint
- A musty, damp smell
What to Do After You Detect Wet Rot?
You need to engage a damp expert to treat wet rot and ensure the source of the moisture ingress is identified and stopped to ensure that the problem does not recur. Call Southern Damp Proofing on 020 7971 1329 today to get more information about wet rot treatments.
Wet Rot and Damp Proofing in Kent
If you are looking for professional wet rot treatment and damp proofing services in Kent, we are here for you. When you call us immediately you notice signs of damp or wet rot, we can fix the problem by putting a stop to the progression of the infestation; helping you avoid pricey repairs down the road and minimising health risks. Our expert damp proofers will take the cause of the problem into account and proffer possible solutions to resolve it permanently.
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Wet Rot Treatment Specialists in Kent
We have over 20 years experience in the business, we are among the premier wet rot specialists in Kent, providing free surveys and no-commitment cost estimates to property owners in the area. Our wet rot and damp proofing experts will visit you, identify the signs of water ingress or wet rot, and then recommend the best course of action. Our experts use advanced methods to detect and treat various forms of rot in properties.
Wet Rot Treatment in Kent
Wet rot flourishes in areas where timber comes in contact with moisture and the wood remains damp. However, when we treat wet rot, we do not just fix the damage caused by it. The problem must be treated at its source. We eliminate the possibility of facing similar issues by identifying exactly how the moisture reaches the timber and blocking off all the access points. Wet rot treatment should be handled by professionals who understand the process and can provide lasting solutions. Delay in treatment can result in a compounded increase in the treatment cost. The best thing to do when you notice signs of wet rot or damp is to call experts such as Southern Damp Proofing for help. We have the necessary know-how to treat wet rot. At Southern Damp Proofing, we quickly determine the source of the dampness and which areas have been most affected. Don’t put it off any longer, call us today on 020 7971 1329 or complete and submit the contact form to get started.
Our Wet Rot Treatment Process in Kent
The damage worsens the more you put off starting the treatment process. Treatment might only be required for a small area if you can detect the signs of fungal rot early enough. In circumstances where the wet rot has been allowed to take deep root in the timber, you might have to consider replacing entire timbers or carrying out major repairs. You must take several steps to treat wet rot. The treatment of any fungus-related problem involving timbers must begin by preventing the timber from getting damp. If there is a seepage of water into your home or timber, regardless of whether the cause is broken guttering, condensation, or anything else, we locate the source of water/moisture ingress and take corrective action. Replacing the affected wood is often the port of call for inexperienced builders or contractors. Such efforts are usually followed by spraying chemical preservatives on the area in question. This approach is sure to fail. If you are unsure about the presence of wet rot in your building, no worries! Southern Damp Proofing is always ready to help you get rid of it and save your timber.
What happens to Wet Rot if left untreated?
If you ignore wet rot treatment, your property’s structural timber will ultimately weaken and, in some cases, even pose a health risk to the inhabitants. The timber gets soft and spongy as rot sets in, this means it will cave in when prodded with a sharp-edged object like a knife or screwdriver. The long-term result is a loss of structural integrity in the timber, which could eventually lead to your building being condemned. Call Southern Damp Proofing 020 7971 1329 to get started.
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What is the cost of Wet Rot Treatment in Kent?
Rot has devastating effects on properties. The cost of repair work and damp proofing will vary based on the type and severity of the infestation, but that shouldn’t deter you. Our wet rot treatment services in Kent come at an affordable cost. We are here to help you make the right decision for your home and families wellbeing.
How to prevent wet rot?
At all times, wood should be kept dry to avoid cases of rot. Wood hardeners are an effective way of protecting timber that is at risk of being infested by wet rot. The wood becomes stronger as the hardener soaks into it. Areas of properties most affected by damp include sills, window boxes, timbers that touch brickwork but have not subjected to damp proofing treatment including the use of a fungicide and sealant.
Talk to Our Wet Rot Treatment Experts Today!
Call 020 7971 1329 today to speak to one of our experts concerning wet rot treatment in your building.
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