Our surveyors and technicians come across many different problems caused by fungal decay attacks. Here we have a case where an outbreak of fungal decay, in this case, wet rot outbreak.
Timberwise Manchester was called to a property in north Manchester to provide a survey and report looking at possible damp, woodworm and fungal decay issues. The customer had noticed localised fungus growing and that the timber stairs had become “bleached”, the damage to the staircase was making life for the occupants of the property far from easy.
The surveyor identified dampness (both rising and penetrating damp), due to a cracked soil pipe from within the rear elevation wall, which allowed severe moisture penetration to the fabric of the building.
It was also clear that the pathway levels to the rear elevation were higher in relation to the internal floor. Due to the moisture penetration, the instrumental readings had shown high readings of dampness and soluble salt contamination on internal walls and timbers.
What is wet rot?
The fungal decay found was a case of wet rot, which usually occurs in persistently damp conditions, needing an optimum moisture content of 40 – 60 per cent to thrive. Unlike dry rot, the conducting strands of wet rot fungi do not extend far from their nutrient wood so they cannot travel through masonry and brickwork.
Why is wet rot so dangerous?
However, wet rot has been known to hollow out giant beams and is responsible for much of the wood decay found in buildings. Although it may not be as serious as dry rot; it is still a common cause of structural defects. The tenants were lucky to have contacted Timberwise when they did, ignoring the problem could have resulted in injury as in very severe cases timber have rotted through causing collapse.
What causes wet rot?
Rising damp is due to moisture rising from the ground into a wall, which also carries soluble salts that can be deposited in the wall fabric and plaster, as the moisture evaporates. Certain salts, in particular chlorides and nitrates, are hygroscopic; which are capable of attracting and absorbing moisture from the atmosphere when the relative humidity is high.
As a result, this caused damp staining to the rear elevation and ceiling of the dining room, as well as fungal decay to adjacent timbers including the surrounding skirting and staircase.
How was the wet rot removed?
Our Timberwise team recommended the installation of our DriWisetm damp proofing system to create a chemical damp proof course and prevent the moisture penetrating the property. In addition to replastering the walls using limelight renovating plaster as it incorporates a salt deterrent additive.
To amend the timber damage, our technician removed the lower treads and risers including stringer, ensuring that all contact surfaces were coated with a liberal coating of fungicidal fluid and capped, or laid, on DPC membrane. In addition to replacing the damaged skirting boards to walls where damp proofing and re-plastering was carried out.
Get In Touch Our Wet Rot Specialists
If you suspect your property has damp issues and is causing problems within your home, it is essential to contact a specialist to identify what is exactly causing the problem and as a result, recommend the correct treatments for the property.
Further information about wet rot can be found on our Wet Rot page or you can speak directly to your local Timberwise office for specialist wet rot solutions advice on 0800 288 8660.
2 thoughts on “Wet rot treatment to a staircase”
Hi, I think I have a similar but not quite severe issue with my stairs – there are signs of woodworm and damp but no fungus or mould. Could you give a rough idea of how much this would take to fix, similar to this article?
Thank you
Hi Ricky – If you give our customer services team a call on 0800 288 8660 they would be able to help you further.