Timberwise News

Penetrating damp solution for Dorset pub

When a Dorset pub / brewery chain realised they had a problem with damp penetration to one of their pub / restaurants they called upon their local Timberwise team at Timberwise Sherborne to provide the solution.

The Granary, Dorset

The penetrating damp problem

The period, brick built, former granary located on the River Frome in Dorset and overlooking the Purbeck Hills suffered from intermittent damp penetration to the gable (river facing) wall, during adverse weather conditions, resulting in internal damp staining adjacent to window and door openings and water dripping from the window heads.

The main building has walls of 450mm solid brick, although the main river facing gable had been replaced many years ago with a wall of cavity construction, formed using extremely porous bricks on a lime bedding mortar.

Following our investigation it was established that the cavity trays fitted over the door and window openings were partially blocked and also unable to cope with the extent of water ingress. Water was also breaching the cavities elsewhere (acceptable) although moisture was building up in the base of the wall, as this wall was formed from the old foundations.

The Timberwise solution to penetrating damp

Options considered and discussed were to (1) render the wall, although destroying the aesthetic appearance of the overall building (2) rebuild, too disruptive and expensive or (3) apply an external coating to prevent lateral damp penetration and clean the cavity trays.

Now we at Timberwise are always cautious when recommending or using external silicone type coatings, as they can be very short term, but more importantly can change the visual appearance of the building, the most common problem being the glazing effect of the masonry caused by the silicone ingredients and to this point we would have probably decided against the use of these types of product.

However, Timberwise have been trialling a new product, which is a masonry protection cream which is breathable and when applied by brush or roller will penetrate to a greater depth than conventional liquid systems, thus its effectiveness will not be affected by the erosion of the masonry surface over time and will prevent rain penetration through the pores of the brickwork for many years to come.

Having undertaken our initial survey of the wall and carried out random Masonry Absorbency Testing (MAT) we put forward a proposal to undertake initial on-site trials with the product, which proved successful and was followed by a full application to the entire gable end of the building, including the cleaning and reforming of the cavity trays and weep holes.

Following completion of the works we can report that the Masonry Cream has penetrated deep into the external brickwork with no visual change of appearance to the wall and improving the thermal efficiency of the masonry by keeping it dry.

Drinks all round to a job well done! The pictures below shows the work we carried out.

Masononry absorbency testing being undertaken

One of the test areas 1 hour after application of penetrating damp cream

The same test area 4 weeks following full application with no visual change to the walls appearance

Carefully cutting in around the pubs painted banner

What should I do if I think I have penetrating damp?

Dont panic is the first thing! Timberwise are experts is finding solutions to damp problems big and small be it penetrating damp, rising damp or condensation. To speak to your local team call 0800 288 8660 or to arrange a visit from one of our surveyors simply complete our on-line damp survey request form and we’ll contact you to arrange the survey.

Ignore that leaking bath seal at your peril!

Here we have a photo case study from one of our surveyors that highlights the dangers of ignoring leaking bath and shower seals. An insurance company contacted Timberwise Cheltenham to visit a property that showed signs of dampness and fungal decay.

From the initial survey it was very apparent that the water leak had on-going for some considerable time (between 6 and 9 months) which had allowed plenty of time for problems to occur behind the scenes. Damage had taken place to the master bedroom floor, bathroom floor and landing floor as well at the kitchen ceiling below. Wet rot was found in parts of the property as a direct result of the water ingress allowed by the faulty bath seal. The Wet rot known as Coniophora puteana is one of the most common forms of decay found in the UK and occurs when wood has become soaked through water leakage.

All the Wet rot infected timbers were replaced and precautionary treatments applied to the remain timbers. The pictures below show the devastation that was caused:

With the bath removed the damage caused by the Wet rot is clear to see. Black mould can also be seen on the wall.

The chipboard floor has lost any strength it had as a result of the water damage.

The landing floor is ruined as is the plasterboard partition. More black spot mould can also be seen.

What should you do if you suspect a leaking bath / shower seal?

Ideally you must sort the seal out as soon as possible to avoid a water ingress and Wet rot problem as seen in the photos above. To help, below is a handy video showing the correct way to seal a bath to make sure that you stay leak free!

Do you have a Wet rot problem?

If you suspect Wet rot in your property don’t panic! Timberwise are experts in treating properties that have been subjected to dampness and Wet rot. To arrange a survey from one of our timber surveyors simply complete our on-line survey request form of call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660.

Genetic code for dry rot is cracked!

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.

Rising damp explained by the PCA

The Property Care Association (PCA), of which Timberwise is a member, explains what rising damp is, the standards that are necessary for specialist contractors to meet, misdiagnosis of rising damp and even whether rising damp even exists.

Further information and advice about rising damp

If you are looking for more information about rising damp look no further! The Timberwise website in your one stop shop for rising damp advice. Have a look at our rising damp video, listen to our rising damp video podcast or simply learn about the other forms of dampness.

Do you have a damp problem? Speak to a damp specialist

To speak to one of our qualified surveyors about rising damp or any form of dampness simply call 0800 288 8660. If you require a survey of your damp problem why not arrange a damp survey on-line.

Surveyors Fotofile: Dry Rot outbreak in a former Cheshire hospital

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.

Timber repairs following Death watch beetle attack

When a farmhouse in Salisbury, Wiltshire discovered damage to beam ends the Timberwise Sherborne team were called upon to devise and implement a sympathetic repair to the historic farmhouse.

Firstly our surveyor diagnosed that the damage to the timber was caused by an attack of Death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum). Death watch beetles are often found in buildings where there are large quantities of oak or elm used in the structure. Dampness is another factor that assists the Death watch beetle and promotes the rapid development of the beetle outbreak. As part of the repair to the property the sources of dampness were identified and remediation carried out as well as the existing timbers treated. To find out more about Death watch beetles and woodworm treatments visit our woodworm section.

The timber repair system

Our specification for the repair of the timbers involved the cutting back of the rotten timber ends. Slots were then formed in the exisiting timber beam end to enable steel reinforcement bars that are pre attached to the new beam end. A “Shutter” is then formed and the resin poured in. The pictures below the various stages in the timber replacement process.

Pouring resin to join the Timber Resin Splice and the existing timber

The finished timber repair

The beam repair seen from below. Cavity drain membrane can also be seen on the wall

The result was a low disturbance and sympathetic timber repair to the property.

Arranging a survey of damaged timbers

Do you have damaged timbers in your property? If so contact Timberwise to arrange a survey. Simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete the on-line timber survey request form.

Wet rot treatments for historic North Wales Hotel

Timberwise Llandudno in North Wales were recently called upon to advise on fungal decay found within an historic hotel in Beaumaris, Anglesey. Upon carrying out a survey wet rot fungus (also known as Coniophora Puteana) was discovered in a bay window area. The extent of the wet rot was such that the timbers in the bay had been structurally weakened – potentially this could have lead to the bay dropping into a seating area below. Wet rot is one of the most common forms of decay in woodwork and tends to occur when the wood has become soaked by water leakage at some point.

Treating the wet rot

The Timberwise solution to the wet rot problem involved providing a caged area to the seating area beneath the bay and then erecting a safe scaffold working platform to the underside of the propped bay. The decayed timber was removed from  the bay and new timber sections added in their place. The floor area was then replaced. The pictures below show the hotel (the bay can be seen in the middle). On the second picture you can clearly see the the wet rot attacking the cantilever timbers supporting the bay window. The final picture shows the bay with damage caused by poor ventilation coupled with dampness from external water ingress.

What should I do if I suspect I have wet rot?

If you believe you have wet rot in your property don’t panic! For an expert diagnosis of the fungal decay simply call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660 or complete the on-line wet rot survey request form.