FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you’re confronted with dampness and timber problems for the first time, remember that many other home owners will probably have had to deal with them as well, so here’s how you can benefit from their experience – by browsing through the questions we are most frequently asked.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, then go to our ‘Ask the Experts’ page and let us help you on a one-to-one basis.

Is dry rot harmful to health, my daughter lives in a house where the adjoining property has just been treated for dry rot in the roof timbers. The workmen advised that it had spread right across the terrace and that she should have it treated. She has two very young children the oldes of whom is 2 years, he has been plagued since birth by constant chest infections and at one stage the doctors were even considering (but ruled out) cystic fibrosis. I am just wondering if this could be the caused by dry rot. Your answers would be appreciated. Many thanks Pauline Pell

Dry rot spores in themselves are not harmful to health - in fact within most buildings they are present in the atmosphere. Howeverÿdry rot can only become established when its spores alight and germinate on damp timber.ÿSo the existence of dry rot indicates a higher than normalÿlevel of dampness in building timber. This is usually caused by water penetration - leaking roofs, gutters etc.

However condensation can also be a contributory factor and this is usually associated with poor atmospheric conditions such as lack of ventilation, high humidity and cold air. Condensation can also lead to mould growth and while this is more an inconvenience than a health problem forÿthe majority, for the elderly or those withÿexisting respiratory conditions, it may be more problematical.ÿ

So dry rot per se is unlikely to be the problem but it could well be an indicator of underlying conditions that contribute to poor health in the family.ÿÿ