The PCA Promise

Giving You Total Peace of Mind

Thanks to the Property Care Association (PCA) clients of Timberwise have an extra level of peace of mind. Under a new guarantee scheme the PCA now offer the ‘PCA Promise’. This is a new type of warranty which covers timber treatment and damp-proofing works, as well as structural waterproofing and remedial wall ties.

Under the warranty, the PCA gives coverage to its members, so we can offer a guarantee on behalf of the PCA to cover clients for work in progress and deposits.

There is no additional cost to our clients for the guarantee, which insures that should the unthinkable happen and Timberwise cease to exist then another PCA contractor will complete the work to the original specification – at no extra cost.

The PCA Promise acts as another level of reassurance for our clients and provides total peace of mind that we care not just for property but for our clients as well.

In this post we look at the life cycle of Dry Rot – the most mysterious of wood rotting funghi.

Like wood boring beetles, fungi too have their own lifecycle and we are now going to look at  the lifecycle of probably the most economically important species of fungal decay in buildings, the True Dry rot fungus, otherwise known as Serpula lacrymans.

Dry Rot needs 3 elements to continue its growth within timber. These are water, air and a food source, in this case timber. The fungus obtains its food from the timber by breaking down the cell walls of the timber which ultimately results in a loss of strength in the timber and eventually the overall collapse of the timber. For the purposes of this example we will assume that the timber has a moisture content of between 25% and 30% for optimum germination and growth of the fungus.

The life cycle starts with a spore landing on the timber in the correct environment. The spores are omnipresent which means that they are in the atmosphere all the time. If you were to take a sample of the air in the room that you are in and micro filtered it down then we would more than likely see that dry rot spores were evident in the filters. As the spores land on the timber they germinate and produce hyphee growth.

 This is a similar process to that of placing seeds in compost. The hyphee growth is the root of the spores. The hyphee growth then mass and colonise together to produce mycelium growth – this is white, and almost “fluffy” in appearance. After a period of time the Dry Rot becomes stressed – this happens when one of the 3 necessary elements for growth (water, air or food) is removed or if the dry rot is in the vicinity of light.

When stressed the Dry Rot produces a sporophore or fruiting body which is a self reproduction organ. This allows the spore bearing surface of the sporohfore to shed into the atmosphere so that the new spores can land again, hopefully in the right environment to carry on germinating and extending the growth of the Dry Rot.

The presence of Dry Rot is usually associated with a building defect allowing ingress of moisture – for example, a leaking gutter or a cracked down pipe. If a building is correctly maintained and kept relatively water tight then generally this would preclude the presence of Dry Rot. Lets now look in detail at the various parts of the life cycle.

Here we see a photographic represenation of the Dry Rot lifecycle:

A piece of wood which has the correct moisture content

The lifecycle begins when the spores land on the timber

The hyphee growth become visible

The hyphee growth colonise to produce mycelium growth

When stressed the dry rot produces a fruiting body to reproduce

Dry Rot – Associated Links

Download our Dry and Wet Rot Solutions Leaflets

Request a survey for Dry Rot

Timberwise DriWise 10

Get wise to DriWise 10 – the driest solution for rising damp

DriWise 10 is a revoloutionary new treatment of risingdamp for the 21st Century. Unique to Timberwise, it has been specially formulated to combat the effects of rising damp with superior performance.

A solvent free product, DriWise 10 is ecologically safe and non-hazardous. 

Timberwise DriWise 10 is approved by the GPI and also benefits from our own 20 year guarantee.

Rising Damp – Associated Links

Download our Rising Damp Solutions Leaflet

Download our

Request a survey for Rising Damp

The Woodworm Lifecycle

1. For the purpose of this explanation we have made the assumption that the beetle that lands on the timber is a pregnant female.
2. The female beetle starts the woodworm lifecycle process by laying her eggs directly into the timber through cracks, crevices and existing flight holes. To protect the eggs they are not left on the surface of the timber.
3. After a few weeks the eggs hatch downwards into the timber and produce larvae – this is the worm stage of the infestation.
4. The worm, or larval stage, carries on for any where between 2 and 5 years. In that time the larvae  eats its way up and down the timbers and causes the structural damage to the timber. It is at this stage in the lifecycle that the frass, or dust, that is associated with woodworm is produced.
5. Towards the end of its lifecycle it forms a pupal chamber where it enlarges the tunnelling towards the surface of the timber and pupates from the larval stage into an adult beetle. The adult beetle then eats its way through the last thin veneer of timber producing the round exit holes that you normally see. From here on in the beetle causes very little further damage to the timber. It is the round exit holes that normally identify timber that has been subjected to beetle infestation.  The females live for between 10 and 14 days where as their male counterparts only live between 3 and 4 days. Once the adult male beetles have emerged from the chamber there sole purpose is to mate with as many female partners in their short lifespan and the lifecycle continues.

Here we see a photographic representation of the lifecycle of the woodworm

The beetles eggs placed in the end grain of the timber.

The larvae or worm stage of the lifecycle.

The pupal chamber showing pupating larvae

Finally the adult Common Furniture Beetle. As the name suggest this beetle is the most common in the UK and can be identified by its distinguishing features such as its “hooded pro-thorax”

Woodworm – Associated Links

Download our Woodworm Solutions Leaflets

Request a woodworm survey for Woodworm Solutions

View our on-line RIBA CPD Woodworm and fungal decay seminar

Two little words that spell fear and dread: Wood Rot!

It’s Wood Rot, and particularly the Dry Rot fungus (Serpula Lacrymans) that is least understood but can cause devastating damage once a foothold is gained. The main reason that people are so frightened of the words “Dry Rot” is because they are initially unsure of what is actually happening to their house, how it got there and what implication there is concerning the effect of value to the property. If the surveyor highlights the cause of the decay, the biology of the fungus and the remedial action required, the problem suddenly doesn’t seem quite as bewildering.

Wet and Dry Rot are species of fungus that initially need moisture to allow their airborne spores to germinate. Wood-rotting fungi cannot grow on wood with a moisture content of 20% or less. Thus the most important consideration for the homeowner is to be vigilant and prevent the ingress of moisture into the building. Scarcely a day passes without all of us being directly benefited or harmed by fungi. They are important in the slow but constant changes taking place around us. They are responsible for much destruction of organic matter such as food, fabrics, leather and of course wood, a major component in the construction of our homes.

Dry Rot can grow rapidly when conditions are perfect and, if water continues to ener a building unchecked, wetting internal timber, Wet Rot can also spread throughout over a short period of time.

A piece of timber (usually well hidden) can become infected with Dry Rot in two ways;

1. By the germination of spores currently all around us (Spores being about 0.01mm in size – during an intense attack and undisturbed, 20,000 million are needed to cover just one square meter), and the subsequent invasion of the developing strands (hyphae)
2. The spread of mycelium from a previously established focus of infection. Decayed timber develops a typical cuboidal cracking which is ofton on a large scale. The strands assume their real significance when the fungus spreads from infected timber over and through non-organic materials (plaster, brickwork, concrete) The fungus can then produce a mushroom-shaped fruiting body (sporophore) which in turn produces more spores. Tracking down the full extent of the growth is sometimes difficult but vital when trying to eliminate an attack.

One of the earliest and best documented accounts of the ravages of Dry Rot tells of the experience of the Royal Navy from the reign of James 1. In 1812 the botanist James Sowerby was aked to inspect and report on the Queen Charlotte. This ship, a first rater of 110 guns, was launched in 1810 and rotted so quickly that it was necessary to rebuild her before she could be commisioned!

The Naval commision recommended that all new timbers be “Seasoned in water to sucke out the sappe and after be dryed by the ayer and sonne played with bitche till thear be fit use of it” – Good advice even by todays standards!

What to do when you spot Wet or Dry Rot

Whatever you do don’t panic as the problem needs to be properly assessed – catching a problem early usually means a straight forward approach to remedial actions. Finding out the seriousness of the problem means calling in a trained proffesional. Some rots although they may look the same may need very different treatments. – a surveyor will be able to establish the extent of the damage, the source of infection and any remedial treatments that would be required.

To arrange a survey click here or call 0800 288 8660 to speak to your local Timberwise office.

Links

• Arrange a Wet or Dry Rot Survey
• Ask a Wet or Dry Rot related question of one of our experts

Timberwise attend the RICS Briefing 2008

The RICS (Royal Institute of Charted Surveyors) Briefing is the key annual event for Building Surveyors and Timberwise are proud to be attending to share our knowledge and expertise.

Learn more about the event from the RICS

The Briefing brings together over 500 building surveyors who are involved with design, maintenance, repair and refurbishment within the public, private and community sectors.

As a leader in property care Timberwise will be offering advice on the range of products and services available from dry rot control through to creating a new basement.

The RICS Briefing took place between April 11 and 12 2008 at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

Summary of Property Services – Dry Rot, Wet Rot & Fungal Decay – Rising Damp

Timberwise have long been seen as experts in property care here we highlight the services we can offer:

Dry Rot, Wet Rot and Fungal Decay

The sight of fungal decay in wood can strike horror into property owners. Be it dry rot with its fruiting bodies and orange spore dust and cotton wool like mycelium or wet rot with its cuboidal cracking Timberwise can effectively treat and remove dry rot, wet rot and other forms of fungal decay. Dry rot is by far the most destructive form of fungal decay and can cause widespread damage if left untreated. Timberwise are experts in dry rot remediation and can carry out a full dry rot survey to identify how to put a stop to the rot.

Dry rot will only affect timber that is suffering with damp and typically affecting timber with a moisture content of 20% or greater. Removing the source of moisture forms a core part of our dry rot remediation strategy. Timberwise have over 40 years experience in the correct identification of fungal decay and ultimately the treatment of dry rot and wet rot. To learn more about dry rot, woodworm and fungal decay Timberwise can offer an RIBA seminar entitled: “Woodworm infestation and fungal wood decay in buildings”.

This seminar is available to view on-line from the Timberwise website and benefits from animations showing the life cycle of woodworm and dry rot.   With the benefit of a long term guarantee you can be sure that your fungal decay problem will be taken care of for good! As members of the Property Care Association (PCA) and BWPDA your property is in safe hands with Timberwise.

Rising Damp

The age old problem of rising damp is no problem for Timberwise. From seeing the initial trademark damp patches and stains that appear on the walls to the salts forming on the brickwork outside, homeowners know there is only one name they need to know to solve their rising damp problems, Timberwise are experts in identifying the causes of rising damp. The main reason for damp appearing are failed damp proofing courses or non-existent damp proofing courses. Timberwise have various damp proofing methods we can use to cure the damp in your property.

The damp proofing methods used include our unique Driwise damp proofing cream which forms a protective barrier to stop the damp. Other damp proofing methods include electo osmotic damp proofing which is an effective form of damp proofing in older buildings, especially those with thick walls.

With over 40 years experience in the installation of damp proofing courses and having eradicated rising damp problems in thousands of homes you can trust Timberwise to remove your rising damp problem for good. Utilising the most up to date methods in damp proofing Timberwise offer a long term guarantee to give you complete peace of mind that your rising damp problem is a thing of the past. As members of the Property Care Association (PCA) and BWPDA your property is in safe hands with Timberwise. For more information on rising damp view our rising damp solutions leaflet.

Summary of Basement Waterproofing

For many years now Timberwise have specilaised in property care and basement waterproofing – here is further information on the basement waterproofing services that Timberwise can offer:

Basement Waterproofing

No longer should the basement be viewed as a dark damp space at the bottom of the property. With the expertise of Timberwise and our skills in basement waterproofing we can turn it into a useful dry space.  For some useful ideas on basement waterproofing and what can be done with a basement conversion visit our 3d basement solutions. Basement waterproofing adds value to your home and valuable working space to commercial properties.

We have teams of basement waterproofing experts UK wide and a variety of basement waterproofing solutions at our disposal. Your local Timberwise basement waterproofing expert will perform a thorough survey of the basement or cellar and provide you with a detailed specification on the best basement waterproofing solution to suit your needs. Timberwise are registered installers of Basement Systems products and as such are able to offer basement waterproofing solutions of the highest quality.

The best basement waterproofing solution comprises of a cavity drain membrane (CDM) a perimeter drainage channel and a sump and pump unit to safely take the water away from the basement or cellar. As members of the BSWA you can be sure that Timberwise are basement waterproofing experts. Timberwise also offer long term guarantees on basement waterproofing solutions for added peace of mind.

As part of our continued support of the RIBA CPD seminar scheme Timberwise are proud to launch our Woodworm Infestation and Fungal Wood Decay CPD seminar in on-line format.

Our RIBA Online CPD has been developed to deliver training direct to the desktop of people who are keen to attend a Timberwise CPD but struggle with busy work schedules. Through this exciting new development our CPD material can be available at a time and place that suits you!

The virtual CPD seminar last approximately 23 minutes and on completion you will have to answer 5 questions on the seminar. If answered correctly a certificate will be generated and emailed directly to you.

To view the on-line seminar simply click here

The on-line seminar complements our existing range of CPD seminars. For more information or to arrange a seminar click here