WET ROT & DRY ROT

Wet rot is a form of fungal decay that develops where timber remains persistently damp.

It is commonly associated with leaking pipes, defective roofs, penetrating damp, poor ventilation, high ground levels or other sources of moisture.

Affected timber can become soft, weakened or crumbly and may lose a significant amount of its structural strength.

Dry rot is a more aggressive form of fungal decay that can spread beyond the original damp timber into adjoining materials.

Despite its name, dry rot still requires moisture to develop.

It can affect structural timbers, floors, joists, skirting and concealed areas of a building and should be investigated promptly.

Typical signs can include:

• Soft or crumbling timber
• Darkened or discoloured wood
• Cracking across the grain
• Fungal growth or strands
• Musty or mushroom-like smells
• Damaged floorboards or joists
• Timber that feels weak under pressure
• Fruiting bodies or spores in more advanced cases

Wet rot and dry rot are not treated in exactly the same way.

The first priority is to identify the type of decay and, more importantly, the moisture source that has allowed it to develop.

Simply treating the visible fungus without correcting the underlying moisture problem can allow decay to return.

Depending on the property, PPS may carry out:

• Visual inspection of accessible timbers
• Moisture testing
• Assessment of structural condition
• Identification of fungal growth
• Inspection of floors, joists and concealed areas
• Investigation of leaks or damp sources
• Assessment of ventilation
• Recommendations for repair or replacement

Treatment will normally focus on removing the source of moisture and dealing with damaged timber.

This may include:

• Repairing leaks or penetrating damp
• Improving ventilation
• Removing decayed timber
• Replacing or strengthening joists and floorboards
• Localised timber treatment
• Repairing associated plaster or building fabric

Dry rot treatment can require a more extensive approach because fungal growth may spread beyond the visibly affected timber.

Remedial work can include:

• Locating and eliminating the moisture source
• Removing severely affected timber
• Exposing concealed areas where necessary
• Treating adjoining timber and masonry where appropriate
• Replacing structural timber
• Improving ventilation and drying conditions

The extent of treatment should always be based on the findings of the survey.

Rot is usually a symptom of a wider moisture problem.

PPS takes a survey-led approach to identify leaks, damp, poor ventilation or other building defects before recommending timber repairs.

This helps reduce the risk of recurring decay after the damaged timber has been replaced.

Our PPS provides fungal decay and timber surveys, treatment and repairs service area extends approximately between:

• Newcastle to the north
• Barnard Castle to the west
• Northallerton to the south
• Saltburn and the North Yorkshire coast to the east

Within this area, PPS regularly works in towns and communities, including:

• Stockton-on-Tees
• Middlesbrough
• Hartlepool
• Billingham
• Yarm
• Eaglescliffe
• Thornaby
• Ingleby Barwick
• Wynyard
• Sedgefield
• Darlington
• Stokesley
• Guisborough
• Redcar
• Saltburn
• Northallerton
• Barnard Castle
• Newcastle

If you have soft, damaged or decaying timber, contact PPS to arrange an appropriate inspection or survey.