Dry rot treatment

Dry rot is a severe form of fungal decay that requires professional treatment to remove and  replace the affected timbers. It will destroy decorative and structural timber, so the first step is to remove the source of moisture and assess the structural integrity of the timber.

Qualified surveyors and trained technicians from Peter Cox specialise in solving fungal decay problems, removing the source of moisture, repairing timber and backing the treatments with long lasting guarantees giving you peace of mind.

Our step-by-step process is in line with industry standards and ensures that we comprehensively deal with dry rot problems in any type of property.

For more information on how to treat dry rot keep reading this page or contact our team today by clicking the button below or give us a call.

Here are some steps on how Peter Cox will treat a dry rot problem:

• This first step is to establish the size and significance of the attack.
• The majority of the dry rot outbreak will be in the vicinity of the wet wood - dry rot can spread into previously dry areas when the moisture it transports cannot escape, such as in unventilated areas.
• If structural timbers are affected, these will need to be assessed to determine if repairs are needed.
• The source of moisture must be found and eliminated. This can often be difficult and may require further inspections.
• It’s essential to promote rapid drying of the structure. This timeframe can differ depending on the thickness of the masonry affected. During remedial work, heating and ventilation are needed at levels which ensure rapid drying. Airflow should be increased around wetted timbers
• Remove all rotted wood by cutting away timber 300-450 mm beyond the last evidence of fungus or rot.
• There are occasions when some timber can be retained for conservation reasons - the risks are low if the source of moisture is removed - however In these cases, deeply penetrating preservative treatments should be applied to rotted areas.
• To contain the fungus within the walls biocides or fungal paints can be applied to surfaces. However, this procedure delays drying out by introducing additional water which needs to be considered.
• Where necessary the remaining timbers can be treated, and any new timber should be pretreated.

Dry rot can be present in masonry and brickwork. Once fully exposed, if the wall surfaces show evidence of mycelium two measures can be used separately, or in combination:

• Surface application of a fungicidal fluid.
• Localised formation of a ‘toxic box’  treatment surrounding the outbreak.

During a dry rot treatment epoxy resins and reinforcement rods may be used for the repair of decayed beam ends, joint stabilisation or crack repairs.

Where appropriate, this is a cost effective method of repairing beams and timber structures affected by dry rot as it involves repairing the affected section of the timber rather than a complete replacement every time.

Wood rotting fungi like dry rot is a general exclusion for most insurance companies meaning it is not covered. You may be able to recoup some costs if the dry rot is caused by another incident that is covered by your policy, such as a leak, but this will be down to your individual insurer.

However, if you do want complete cover for wood rotting fungi, Peter Cox does offer dry rot insurance for your property

Dry rot treatment by a professional company should come with a guarantee and this is something that homeowners should look for when they choose a dry rot treatment specialist.

Unless stated in the report, Peter Cox treatments come with a 20-year guarantee. This offers our customers total peace of mind with regards to the future health of their property.

Without conducting a thorough damp and rot survey, it is impossible to provide an accurate estimate of costs for dry rot treatment.

The serpula lacrymans fungus which causes dry rot can germinate and spread throughout a property causing fungal decay across surfaces that can ultimately put the whole building at risk. Naturally, the extent of this spread and severity of the damage it has caused will have a direct impact on how much it costs to treat the problem.

Given that dry rot can have such serious effects on your property, you want to hire a dry rot treatment specialist that you can trust. Peter Cox has numerous accreditations for our treatment process, but our 2,000 reviews and ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot will give you an idea of what real customers have had to say about their experience of working with our team.

If carrying out a survey in your property, the surveyor will access the attic or roof space to understand if there are any issues with ventilation or moisture ingress. Insulation is used to increase the thermal efficacy of a property but sometimes when installed incorrectly can prevent ventilation into the roof space. The surveyor will make a note of the condition of the insulation and may provide a quote to top up this if it doesn’t meet the required standards. To find out more about our insulation service visit our insulation webpage.

Our highly skilled team can eradicate dry rot problems from any commercial or domestic property regardless of size or age.

We have highly qualified and trained surveyors and technicians in local branches all across the UK, so a dry rot specialist is never far away. Call the expert team at Peter Cox today or click the button below to book a survey online.