Rot Problems?

Dry rot, wet rot, penetrating damp, rising damp, condensation are all water-damage problems faced by home owners and problems that need to be fixed sooner rather than later. But each is a different issue with a variety of effects and treatment methods. One quick call to London Damp Specialists is all it takes to diagnose your damp or rot problem. Here’s a quick guide to spot your rot, so you know when it’s time to call the experts.

Dry Rot

When damp is combined with poor ventilation you have the perfect feeding ground for fungi. Fungi is highly invasive and can affect any type of property, not matter how old or new. It feeds off timbers and quickly spreads into plaster through cracks and cavities. Common signs of dry rot are damaged timbers. However, these are often out of sight below floors or in lofts. You might spot visible orange/brown dust before it manifests itself in fluffy white spores and mushrooming spores – the latter stages show an advanced case of dry rot.

How is Dry Rot Treated?

Dry rot needs to be treated professionally and quickly in order to halt any further spread and eradicate it fully. It can be a disruptive process as it involves plaster and timber removal and replacement as well as treatment with a dry rot-resistant solution.

Wet Rot

If there is a constant source of water ingress or a leak from somewhere in the property, wet rot will develop – it could be from leaky plumbing, damaged gutters, downpipes or deteriorated pointing. Whatever the cause, it needs to be sorted! Wet rot isn’t as destructive as dry rot but left unchecked can badly affect timbers, leading to structural damage. If you notice a musty smell, spot fungal growth or distorted or discoloured timbers, you could be suffering from wet rot. It’s important to get it diagnosed professionally, not least to make sure it’s not dry rot, and make sure it is treated effectively and correctly.

How is Wet Rot Treated?

First and foremost, the source of the water ingress needs to be found and stopped. Following that, it must be determined how much wet rot has affected the area and the timbers treated accordingly – probably removed and replaced, and new timbers, as well as the surrounding remaining wood, treated with fungicidal solution. We would always recommend you seek professional help if you suspect your property is suffering from any kind of rot-related damage. Treat it before it becomes a major problem.