Wood rot is a common problem affecting properties and homes across the UK when timber is exposed to moisture over time and suffers from a fungal infestation. Older properties may be more susceptible to damage due to the nature of their construction. Over time moisture from problems such as rising damp or water ingress from building defects (such as broken gutters or damaged roof tiles) means that timber is exposed to moisture, causing wood rot.
The extent of wood rot damage varies depending on the type of fungus, and sometimes may only require a DIY fix on decorative timber. However the problem affects structural timber, it could mean the loss of structural integrity and potential collapse of floors, joists or beams. Our guide to treating wood rot will explain what wood rot is, and the different types of fungal decay thataffect buildings and how to treat them.
Wood rot is a general term for timber decay, which is essentially the decomposition of wood or timber caused by fungi. The fungi feeds on the wood which causes it to lose its structural integrity over time. During the fungi's life cycle some will release spores into the atmosphere in order to land on new timber it can feed on.
For wood rot to occur timber needs to be exposed to moisture over an extended period this source of which could be plumbing leaks, or water ingress from defective roofs or gutters. Buildings with poor ventilation are very susceptible to wood rot attacks. Spores in the atmosphere will germinate on the damp timber and start the cycle again. While rotting timber is most prominent in older buildings it can affect any type of property if the right conditions are in place.
The two main categories of wood rot. The first is wet rot, which there are a number of different types of. And the second is dry rot. Both of these types of wood rot have different conditions for germination, the moisture content required and the extent of damage that can be caused.
If you think you have a wood rot problem affecting your property, you may require a specialist damp and timber survey from a trained professional. They will inspect the issue, and provide a comprehensive report detailing their findings with recommendations. A thorough survey is essential as wood rot issues can be more complex than first meets the eye. Our surveyors have years of experience in identifying fungal decay and will use specialist tools and equipment to make sure nothing is missed.
Our surveyors are typically CSTDB (Certified Surveyor of Timber & Dampness in Buildings) or CSRT (Certified Surveyor in Remedial Treatments) qualified, and our methods for surveying are accredited by numerous trade bodies.
Despite their names, both wet rot and dry rot require damp and moist conditions to begin germinating. The best way to prevent this fungal growth is by ensuring there is a suitable source of ventilation in the property.
Condensation is the most common cause of damp problems in the UK, if simple DIY solutions like keeping windows open doesn’t dispel this rot causing moisture, then you will likely need to install a ventilation unit that will either introduce a source of fresh dry air into the whole house or just in selected rooms. It is also the case that there are pre-treatments you can apply to timbers to help increase their resistance to dampness and rot. You can read more about these on our timber treatments page.
Treating rotting wood always starts with solving the moisture source that is facilitating the fungul growth, otherwise, any repairs wil quickly degrade and the rot will return. This can be through damp proofing, ventilation improvements or fixing building defects.
To fully eradicate the fungus, the method of repairing and treating rotted wood required will depend on the type of rot present in your home. Typically this involves cutting back decayed timber and applying targeted fungicidal treatments where required. Elements of plasterwork or renders may need to be removed.
Our dry rot technicians will clean all areas affected by surface growth, including hyphae, mycelium and fruiting bodies and sterilise walls and masonry where required.
The timber will be replaced with preservative-treated timber or non-timber alternative as required. In addition to this the team may also use an epoxy resin timber splice with reinforcement rods which is effective in cases where we do not want to replace the entire timber structure due to cost or historic value.
Typically fungul decay treatments are backed by 20 year guarantees, offering long term peace of mind.
