Press/News

Today we have some photos showing an outbreak of Dry rot discovered by one our Timber and Damp specialists in the Manchester area. Timberwise Manchester were called to provide a pre-purchase Timber and Damp survey on an empty property to identify if there were any potential pitfalls that the prospective owner needed to know about. Upon walking into the hallway the tell tale sign of ‘spongy’ floorboards gave a clue of what was to come! The pictures below give an indication of the destructive power of Dry rot. The outbreak had resulted in the structural breakdown of the sub floor joists and floor boards in the kitchen and hallway.

Dry rot fruiting body growing on the door casing in the kitchen

Another Dry rot fruiting body in the hallway storage cupboard

Sheet mycelium growth of Dry rot below the floor timbers in the hallway.

The Timberwise answer to this Dry rot outbreak

To rectify the damage caused by the Dry rot outbreak Timberwise removed the damaged flooring, joists, skirting boards and other affected timbers. The area was then treated with a fungicide and damaged timbers replaced

What to do if you suspect Dry rot in your property

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

The floods may have subsided somewhat in parts of the country but experts are still predicting a possible return later in the week along with unusually cold, frosty weather.

Although the worst of the downpours seem to be over, certain rivers are not far from their peaks and dozens of flood warnings from the Environment Agency remain active. . To find out about the latest flood warning visit the Environment Agency Flood Warnings page.

After the flooding begins the hard work of making the properties habitable again following the damage caused by flooding – that where Timberwise can help!

Flooding and Flood Treatments from the Flood Remediation Specialists

When a building has been subjected to flooding it is vital that any flood remediation work is carried out by experts.   Timberwise, as members of the Property Care Association Flood Remediation Group, are specialists when it comes to repairing buildings that have been affected by water ingress.

As members of the Property Care Association Flood Remediation Group we can also:

1. Assist in the recovery of the flooded building.  

Assist the company undertaking the drying aspects of the property and can undertake investigations to highlight areas at greatest risk from fungal decay or degradation. This will reduce the possibility of problems of dry rot and other latent defects affecting the building after the drying out process is complete.

2. Provide effective repairs to damaged areas of the property.

At Timberwise we deal with damp and dampness every day and our experience in dealing with rising and penetrating dampness can also be applied to flooded buildings. We are experienced in the damage caused by water ingress and can advise on the necessary solution as a result of the water ingress. Problems with repairs that are flooding related are common – but these may only surface sometime after the property is repaired.

3. Providing refurbishment and repair solutions can introduce greater long term resilience to future flood water ingress.  

In some instances it may be possible to undertake repairs that will provide the building with far greater resilience to future floods. With our expertise in waterproofing we are ideally placed to help.   As members of the PCA Flood Remediation Group Timberwise have to meet tough criteria. Timberwise can be called upon to provide high quality flood remediation works, as well as advice and guidance with drying the building and preventing decay following a flood. For further information on floods and how to prepare in the event of a flood visit the Environment Agency web pages dedicated to flooding.

If you have a property that has suffered at the hands of flooding and needs help from our team of specialists either eMail our team  or call 0800 288 8660. Timberwise

Recent research from Aviva has revealed that at the Easter bank holiday an amazing 9.5 million people intended to carry out some form of DIY around the house. The research also highlighted that although the vast majority of people are quick to spot and act on jobs within the home millions of home owners are neglecting work that needs to be carried out outside. The cost of turning a blind eye to those external DIY jobs – a potentially staggering £10,000 in the long term.

Have you checked your chimney stack recently?

If you haven’t checked your chimney stack recently you are not alone – the Aviva research uncovered that only 15% of people check for defects on the chimney stack monthly, as recommended by surveyors, and 21% of us admit to never checking it. Although it may not seem the most important of jobs defective stacks can lead to potential damp problems within the property. Another potential area of neglect is the roof – one in ten UK homeowners have never checked for signs of slipping or missing roof tiles – this once again can lead to potential damp and rot problems. A sound roof is essential to the structural integrity of a house and if a problem with tiles is ignored it can once again land you with an unwanted repair bill.

Heather Smith, Director of home insurance at Aviva said: “Many of the common and expensive problems that affect homes often begin outside the home. For example, damage from damp that seeps in through leaky external walls, standing water on flat roofs, and missing roof tiles.”

Another area of concern is the garden - here Japanese Knotweed lurks ready to cause damage to property! 46% of homeowners admit to never checking for signs of it and 43% didn’t know that it could cause serious damage to property in the form of damaged walls, drains and paving.

Give your property a health check!

To help keep your property in tip top condition here’s a list of the top things to check on your property:

1) Defective chimney stack / roof flashing’s: Check on a monthly basis for damp stains around the chimney breast area.

2) Missing or damaged roof tiles: Check every month for damp patches on interior ceilings.

3) Defective guttering:  Keep an eye out for damp patches, discolouration or salty deposits on the outside of walls. Defective and blocked guttering is a major source of penetrating damp.

4) Wet Rot and Dry Rot in timber frames: Check for the tell tale signs of wet timber or a white fungal growth.

5) Deterioration to flat roofs: Flat roofs should be checked twice a year for standing water, vegetation and the lifting / racking of joints.

6) Japanese Knotweed: Keep an eye out for th distinctive large heart shaped leaves. Be aware though that it changes its appearance through the year.

Do you suspect you have a damp problem?

If you think you have a damp issue at home the best advice is to have it checked out sooner rather than later by a qualified damp surveyor who will be able to identify the nature of the damp problem (be it penetrating damp, dampness caused by condensation or rising damp) and advise on the best course of action to remedy the problem. To arrange a damp survey simply complete our online damp survey request form or call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8661 who will be delighted to help you further.

The Dry Rot team at Timberwise Leeds are no strangers to going the extra mile on timber surveys but this one really did take them to new heights! When one of our commercial clients had a problem with water ingress causing a Dry Rot problem in the upper floors of their building in Morley, West Yorkshire, Timberwise Leeds were tasked with putting a stop to the rot. To provide a remedial solution to the Dry Rot outbreak it was imperative to find any sources of moisture coming into the building, including checking the roof for any defects that could possible allow water in.

Here we see our intrepid  surveyor Sean checking for deterioration to the flat roof area - this includes checking for standing water, cracking or lifting joins as well as vegetation. Other potential sources of water ingress include defective guttering. Guttering can fill up with items such as moss and bird droppings which can lead to blocked gutters. Only when the sources of water ingress were identified and repaired could the Dry Rot be effectively treated.

Do you think you have a Dry Rot problem?

If so don’t panic! Timberwise are experts in treating properties that have fallen foul to Dry Rot and as we are nationwide we are sure to be nearby. To arrange a survey either complete our Dry Rot survey request form or call your local office for friendly advice on 0800 288 8660. Further advice and information about Dry Rot, what Dry Rot is and how we treat Dry Rot can be found on our Dry Rot information page.

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.

A fantastic example today of mould growth in a roof void from one of our Manchester surveyors. The mould growth was caused by over insulating the roof void and as a result causing a lack of ventilation. Insulation was found to have been pushed into the eves of the building as well as between the rafters. The roof timbers and insulation had become saturated resulting initially in the mould growth that you can see growing on the timbers. There was also a potential danger of a Dry Rot outbreak – Dry Rot  can occur when conditions are still and humid and the moisture content of the wood is in excess of 30%.

Our solution to the mould growth problem was to remove the mould, treat the timbers with a fungicidal wash to protect from any future growth and increase the ventilation in the roof space by removing excess insulation from the eves.

What should I do if I discover mould in my roof space?

Timberwise are experts in the treatments of moulds and can offer specialist, specific advice and supply complete solutions as to the control and elimination of condensation and persistent problems of high humidities and associated mould growth, thereby reducing the potential health hazards associated with such growth. To arrange a survey call 0800 288 8660 of complete our on-line survey request form.

For years Sarah Beeny has advised people on making the most from property – now she takes on her biggest restoration project yet – the renovation and total transformation of Rise Hall, a 97-room stately home in East Yorkshire in need of much love and attention. Rise Hall is suffering with many problems that Timberwise come across every day – from fungal decay in the form of dry rot and wet rot through to dampness and woodworm.

Don’t forget to tune in to Channel 4 on Thursday at 8pm to find out more or click on the image to the left to watch the first episode on-line.

Help! I’ve got the same property problems as Beeny!

If you have a property suffering with dry rot, wet rot, fungal decay, dampness or beetle infestations we can help! Simply pick up the phone and call your local Timberwise property care experts on 0800 288 8660 or complete our 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

Dry Rot – a name that normally strikes fear into property owners!

This photo taken by a Timberwise surveyor shows a wooden floor that has been attacked by True Dry Rot – or to give it its correct name Serpula Lacrymans.

Clearly visible on the floor boards are Rhizomorphs. Rhizomorphs and cords of mycelium growth that conduct nutrients and water back to the body of the Dry Rot outbreak - basically Rhizomorphs feed the Dry Rot growth when it has run out of a food source.

Rhizomorphs can be up to 6mm in diameter and can be relatively brittle when dry.

Also visible in the photo is the red spore dust from the Dry Rot fruiting body (Sporophore). The fruiting body is created when the Dry Rot becomes stressed due to temperature, humidity or a lack of nutrients.

What should you do if you suspect Dry Rot in your property?

Dry Rot adapts well to to the environment within buildings. As such Dry Rot is one of the fastest forms of decay and one of the most difficult to eradicate. If you suspect you have a Dry Rot outbreak in a property you need a Dry Rot specialist to survey the problem and recommend the best cause of action to treat the Dry Rot problem.

Dry Rot treatment from the experts

Timberwise have been treating Dry Rot problems for over 40 years and our team of experienced surveyors are experts in their field. To contact Timberwise to arrange a Dry Rot survey call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line Dry Rot survey request form.

Mycelium growth

Following on from our recently launched Dry Rot video podcast today we look at Dry Rot Mycelium growth. 

This fantastic picture clearly shows the Mycelium spreading across the floor of the uninhabited basement. The Mycelium is spreading to find a new source of food and looks to be feeding on the rotting timber that is visible. Mycelium can travel great distances to find new sources of food and it is this ability to grow over great distances (it can can even go through bricks and mortar!) that allows a Dry Rot outbreak to progressively destroy timbers throughout an entire property.  The Mycelium is also showing signs of moisture, possibly from removing the water from the timber it has been feeding on.

Dry Rot treatment

Dry Rot has many different stages in its life cycle. Dry Rot treatment starts initially with identifying where the Dry Rot is in its life cycle. Timberwise have over 4 decades experience in treating Dry Rot problems and our trained surveyors are experts in their field. If you require advice on Dry Rot or a Dry Rot survey simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line Dry Rot survey form.