Press/News

After many years of research, researchers have at last cracked the gene code for dry rot following a collaboration between the University of Helsinki and the University of Swansea. Analysis was carried out on the 48.2 million nucleotide genome of dry rot (serpula lacrymans) which gave the research team a valuable insight into the structure of dry rot.

The research that was recently published in the Science Journal, may lead the way towards finding new cost effective and practical treatments for dry rot. In the UK dry rot is one of the most destructive forms of fungal decay and can lead to serious problems with the structural integrity of buildings.

Research on the gene code of dry rot

Professor Fred Asiegbu , Professor of Forest Pathology at Helsinki University states that the gene code research gives much more insight into the lifecycle of dry rot amongst other aspects of this destructive fungus. Wood decaying fungi are divided into 2 distinct types – white rot and brown rot. Brown dry rot have a preferance for consuming cellulose and hemicelluloses where as white dry rot attack the mainly the lignin and cellulose components of wood.

Further information on the gene code and the research carried out into dry rot

To discover more about the research carried out in to dry rot visit the Science Daily website which gives information from Dan Eastwood of Swansea University.

Do you suspect dry rot in your property?

Timberwise have been treating properties with dry rot for over 40 years. We have a wealth of knowledge and understanding of dry rot and how to treat it in properties. To find out more check out our dry rot information page that features a video looking at dry rot in more detail. To speak to a surveyor about dry rot call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660 or request a dry rot survey on-line.

A couple of photos from one of the Timberwise Manchester surveyors taken on a recent survey of a former hospital in Bowden, Cheshire. The hospital which was opened in 1885 has been unoccupied since 2004. With a new hospital been planned the local NHS trust are now in the process of selling the property which will potentially be split into apartments. The site is historically important and is made up of a collection of attractive Victorian buildings.

Timberwise were called upon to provide a survey of the property and determine the extent of the Dry Rot outbreak that had taken hold in the years that the buildings had stood dormant. The decay had caused some structural breakdown and had caused floors to collapse in places. The Dry Rot had spread from the basement through to the second floor.

The pictures below give an indication of the extent of the Dry Rot outbreak. The first one shows the extent of the Dry Rot outbreak in the basement area. Mycelium growth can be seen in abundance.

The second picture shows how Dry Rot spores can spread. As part of the Dry Rot life cycle ,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 sporophore to shed spores  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.

Here the orange coloured spores can be seen on the lavatory as well as the basin and grab rails.

To learn more about the life cycle of Dry Rot check out our Dry Rot podcast or our dedicated Dry Rot web page. For more pictures of Dry Rot have a look at our photo library on the Timberwise Facebook page.

What to do if you suspect Dry Rot in your property

First and foremost don’t panic! Timberwise are experts in identifying the source of the Dry Rot as well as providing the necessary remedial treatments to resolve the problem. Simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete the on-line Dry Rot survey request form.

At Timberwise our surveyors are experts in identifying various forms of fungal decay from well know rots such as Dry Rot and Wet Rot through to less well known varieties.

The photographs below are from one of our Timberwise London surveyors were taken during a survey of an establishment in South London where we were called in to survey and identify the cause of a dampness problem. 

The photo above shows some salt contamination on a wall which is normally a tell tale sign of a damp problem – in this case a penetrating damp problem caused by a leaky down pipe. For any form of damp proofing to be a success the source of the penetrating damp has to be located and stopped.

In another part of the building our surveyor discovered another problem related to the penetrating damp problem – fungal decay, in this case Plaster fungi. The surveyor identified the plaster fungi to be of the Peziza species – these tend to be found on damp brick work or plaster. This type of plaster fungi feeds on surface detritus or on organic material that is part of the walls – for example hair within old types of plaster.

This close up of Peziza ssp shows clearly the flesh coloured fungi. It has a cup shaped fruiting body that when fresh is very flexible but over time can harden and become brittle.

What should I do if I find fungal decay in my property?

The most important thing is to correctly identify the type of fungal decay and only then can the correct remedial action be taken to ensure the problem does not come back. Timberwise are experts in fungal decay identification and have been treating properties for over 4 decades.

To arrange a survey call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line fungal decay survey request form.

Some pictures today from one of our Timberwise Manchester Dry Rot specialists – a great example of what can happen when you combine moisture and poor ventilation in a mothballed cellar environment – You can create the perfect breeding ground for Dry Rot!  Timberwise were called upon to survey this unused basement at the bottom of a store in St Helens, Merseyside as it was apparent to the owner that there was a problem with Dry Rot. Only when our surveyor inspected the basement fully was the true extent of the Dry Rot outbreak known.

The pictures below show the Dry Rot outbreak in a little more detail

Upon initial inspection the basement appears dark and damp but looking carefully you can see mycelium growth associated with Dry Rot behind the suspended ceiling.

Having removed some of the suspended ceiling it soon became clear  that the Dry Rot had spread throughout the basement covering in total approx. 35% of the basement area.

The Dry Rot was feeding on the timbers that held the suspended ceiling in place and left unchecked would continue to feed on the rest of the timber in the basement.

Our solution to this Dry Rot problem

To prevent a further attack of Dry Rot our solution involved the installation on an in-line fan system to increase ventilation to the basement area as well as removing and replacing all the infected timbers and sterilising any intact timbers to make sure there is no reappearance of the fungal decay.

What should I do if I suspect Dry Rot in my property?

Dry Rot is one of the most feared fungal decays and if found in a property needs expert treatment to ensure the out break is contained and not allowed to spread. Timberwise are experts in treating Dry Rot and have been for over 45 years. To arrange a survey from one of our Dry Rot experts simply pick up the phone and call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line dry rot survey request form.

At Timberwise our surveyors are used to dealing with properties of all shapes and sizes – from small domestic properties to large commercial premises – it isn’t every day though that you get asked to carry out a timber decay and woodworm survey on a grade 2 listed mill building.

The owners of this mill in the market town of  Ulverston on the Lake District Penisula contacted Timberwise to perform the timber survey on the original mill workings upon the recommendation of the local conservation officer. Our timber surveyor found evidence of a wide spread woodworm infestation by Common Furniture Beetle in the vast majority of the timbers forming the mill workings and floors. The moisture content of the timbers was in the region of between 25% and 30% – an ideal breeding ground for the promotion of the germination of spores of wood rotting fungi such as Dry Rot and Wet Rot.

Our timber surveyor followed the brief to prevent further degradation of the mill workings and floors whilst leaving them in their current state for future restoration.

The pictures below show the wheel that dates back to the 18th century along with the original cog wheels and some of the decayed timber housing.

Do you need a timber survey carrying out ?

If you do Timberwise would be delighted to help! Arranging a timber survey couldn’t be simpler – just call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line survey request form.

A great photo today from our London surveyor of the dreaded Dry Rot.  Our team in London recieved a call from a distressed home owner following the discovery of what looked like Dry Rot spores in a utility room. Our surveyor tracked down the source of the Dry Rot outbreak to the sub-floor where he took the photo.

From the picture you can clearly see that the Dry Rot is growing on what appears to be new timbers. It then came to light that the owner had previously had a problem with Dry Rot that she thought had been treated which resulted in the fitting of new joists to replace decayed timbers. It would appear though that the previous Dry Rot outbreak was not treated correctly, hence the return of the Dry Rot problem. Here the Dry Rot can be seen travelling over over the new timbers and previously treated areas in search of new timbers to colonise.

The moral to this tale: If you suspect a problem with Dry Rot or any other type of fungal decay call in an expert to identify the problem and provide a solution to make sure that the problem does not come back!

Do you have a Dry Rot problem?

If you suspect you have a problem with Dry Rot don’t panic! Our team of surveyors are experts in diagnosing Dry Rot and tracking down the source of the problem. To arrange a survey with one of our Dry Rot experts simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line Dry Rot survey request form.

When Wirral Borough Council noticed a musty smell  in the historic Vale  House building in Wallasey on the Wirral they suspected that they had a damp rot problem. Only when they investigated  the cellar did they realise  that the damp rot was actually Dry Rot.

The Dry Rot Problem

Dry Rot is the most feared of all rot fungus and required urgent attention before it caused severe structural problems to the building. The fungal decay experts at Timberwise Liverpool were called upon to provide a solution to their Dry Rot problems. Following a comprehensive survey of the timbers it was apparent that the property had problems with wood boring insects (Common Furniture Beetle and Wood Boring Weevil) as well as out breaks of Dry Rot and Wet Rot. The Dry Rot outbreak was feeding on the floor timbers and as a result making the floor above structurally unstable.

The team from Timberwise Liverpool removed all the damaged floor timbers and plaster from the area under Dry Rot attack. The basement area including all masonry and the basement over-site was then irrigated and sterilized to prevent a further Dry Rot outbreak. New protected timbers were then reinstated to finish the job.

What Should I do if I have a Dry Rot Problem?

If you suspect that you have a problem with Dry Rot don’t panic! Simply call 0800 288 8660and arrange to have a survey carried out of the timbers by a qualified timber surveyor. Alternatively complete our on-line Dry Rot survey request form.

Historic Vale House on the Wirral

A view of the floorboards from underneath showing clear signs of wood boring beetle damage

A sheet of mycelium growth on timber

Mycelium growth spreading in the basement. The "tears" of moisture can clearly be seen

Mycelium growing over what was a cast iron fireplace

Mycelium on the joists in the basement. Growth can also be seen on some cord hanging down from a joist.

Another great photograph of Dry Rot taken in a basement from one of our Dry Rot specialists! This great picture shows the key elements of Dry Rot – the fruiting body, mycelium growth, hyphae and at the ends of the hyphae tear like droplets of water appear (this is the Dry Rots way of controlling moisture) hence the term Lacrymans meaning tears.

The solution to a Dry Rot problem

Dry Rot has many different stages in its lifecycle. Dry Rot treatment initially starts with correctly identifying which stage your Dry Rot problem has reached within the dry rot lifecycle.  At Timberwise our fully qualified and specialist surveyors are experts at identifying the extent of the decay and will arrange for a suitable solution to the treatment of your dry rot problem. To arrange a Dry Rot survey call 0800 288 8660 of complete our Dry Rot survey request form

Some pictures today from one of our remedial surveyors who was called out to a case of Dry Rot that had taken hold in a property in Peterborough.

Dry Rot under a radiator

Close up of Dry Rot beneath a radiator

This Victorian property had at some point had a leaking down pipe that had led to water ingress creating the ideal breeding conditions for Dry Rot fungus.

What should I do if I suspect Dry Rot in my property?

Dry Rot outbreaks are normally accompanied with some of the following symptoms:

1) Any affected wood shrinks, darkens and cracks in a ‘cuboidal’ manner
2) A silky grey to mushroom coloured skin frequently tinged with patches of lilac and yellow tends to develop in less humid conditions.

3) White, fluffy ‘cottonwool’  like mycelium develops under humid conditions. ‘Teardrops’ may develop on the growth.
4) Strands develop within the mycelium growth; these are brittle and when dry crack when bent.
5) Fruiting bodies are a soft, fleshy pancake or bracket with an orange-ochre surface. The surface has wide pores.
Rust red coloured spore dust is frequently seen around fruiting bodies.
6) Active wood rot decay produces a musty, damp odour.

Get a Dry Rot experts opinion!

If you suspect an outbreak of Dry Rot in your property don’t panic! Call Timberwise on 0800 288 8660and request a Dry Rot survey -  alternatively complete our Dry Rot on-line survey request form

Rot surveys and timber treatments from the timber experts

Timberwise are experts in treating timbers suffering with rot, especially dry rot and wet rot amongst other form of fungal decay. Rot is one of the main causes of timber decay in properties and Timberwise are able to provide specialist rot surveys to identify the type of wood rot as well as perform the specialist treatments to get rid of the rotten wood within the property.

Below we have 2 pictures taken by our specialist rot surveyor showing 2 of the most common kinds of wood rot – Dry rot and Wet rot.

Timber rot: Dry rot

Here a leak from a dishwasher above has led to the formation of Dry rot in the sub floor void area.

Timber rot: Wet rot

Here we see wet rot in the bearing end of a floor joist with the floor boards above also showing signs of a beetle infestation. Also visible are signs of 2 previous damp proof courses (1 chemical DPC and 1 bitumen dpc) that have failed to protect the floor joists. As can be seen by the screwdriver the timber had lost strength and become weak.

What are the signs of Dry rot and Wet rot ?

The signs of Dry rot include:

- A pungent mushroom like smell

- A white fungal growth

- The timber will show signs of cracking in a cuboidal formation

Learn more about Dry rot treatments from Timberwise

The signs of Wet rot include:

- A damp smell

- Timbers will be soft and appear cracked

- A fungal growth will be present.

Learn more about Wet rot treatments from Timberwise