Client: Domestic
Our client, a homeowner in Kettering, tasked Timberwise with repairing damage caused by dry rot fungal decay within the front entrance of their home. This property was a detached property of brick construction and had been uninhabited for several years. The property was unoccupied and unfurnished, and the weather was dry and overcast at the time of our inspection.
Challenges
It is common for our surveyors to encounter restrictions when inspecting any property. Whether it is limiting an inspection to specific rooms, or furniture and belongings reducing accessibility, our surveyors encounter these difficulties daily and are experts in providing thorough reports despite these obstacles. In the case of fungal decay, it is even more necessary to investigate areas beyond the visible evidence. Fungal decay can spread rapidly, and it is likely that the spread is prevalent within walls, sub-floor voids or lofts as well as any visible areas.
Observations
A brief external investigation of the property revealed the defect that had likely fed the fungal decay within the property. Our surveyor found that the downpipe next to the front door had previously been leaking. This defect had been recently repaired by our client, but staining around the pipe indicated the pipe had been leaking for some time. As the property had been vacant for several years prior to our visit, it’s not uncommon for maintenance issue such as these to go unnoticed or unremedied.
Internally, damage from the prior leak was immediately evident. Fungal decay was identified within the wall plaster in the porch, as well as the timber door casing, skirting, and architrave. A closer inspection confirmed that this was the result of Dry Rot Fungus (Serpula Lacrymans).
Dry rot occurs where the timber becomes damp and has a moisture content that is more than 20%. This moisture is often the result of a recurring issue in the property, such as rising damp from masonry or bridging plaster, or penetrating damp from an external defect within the brickwork or roof. Damp timber is the perfect breeding ground for Dry Rot Fungus to germinate, feeding on the timbers it inhabits before spreading rapidly in search of more timber to feed from.
Dry rot generally only attacks timber fixtures like joists or floorboards. However, its hyphae are resilient and can spread over masonry or plaster to reach other moisture sources. The Life Cycle of Dry Rot explores the different stages of Dry Rot Fungus growth and what each stage of its life cycle looks like.
Solutions
In all dry rot cases, the ideal solution is to remove and replace any affected materials. This ensures that any presence of the fungus is removed and reduces the likelihood of recurrence. As dry rot can also weaken the structural integrity of wood, this also reduces the likelihood of any further damage. Acting on years of industry experience, our surveyor constructed the ideal plan to remedy our client’s concerns.
First, our surveyor recommended removing any visibly affected timber materials within the front entrance. This included the door casing, architraves, plinth blocks, skirting boards and dado rails within the room. These would be provided to a tradesman of our client’s choice, who would then create new like-for-like pieces to reinstall once the room was repaired.
In addition, our surveyor recommended checking beneath the timber fixtures in the immediate area prior to remediation to ensure the entire spread was identified and remedied. This included the window architrave and floorboards in the adjoining reception room, where the hidden spread was revealed: Massive strands of hyphae were found after hacking off the existing wall plaster at the front entrance. These hyphae had spread around several corners and walls to reach the timber fixtures of the larger living room window. Our surveyor updated the planned renovations to ensure a full treatment plan was completed on the property.
Once cleared of any fruiting bodies and affected materials, our technicians would then begin remediation. First, they would install a Toxic Box around the windows, doors, and other affected areas. This involves drilling small holes at regular intervals and injecting them with LignaTek fungicidal gel. This creates a barrier against future fungal infection by ensuring that any fungal infestation would not spread beyond the perimeter if it happens to reoccur.
Next, our technicians would rejuvenate the area by replastering the walls. This would not only include applying a waterproof slurry to the masonry, but also re-plastering with a salt retardant specification material. These measures would control any future damp within the entranceway and reception room, and ensure that damp or dry rot could not recur within the property.
Finally, once machined, our client’s tradesman would install new timber mouldings, door casings, skirtings, architraves, dado rails and plinth blocks to replace the previously rotted materials that could not be reinstated. As a final measure, these would also be treated with fungicidal solution to ward off any chance of future dry rot recurrence.
Results
Our client was satisfied with the approach provided by our surveyor, and thanked Timberwise for their thorough and ideal plan. They were also happy to know that Timberwise would work alongside a tradesman they trusted to ensure the work was completed sufficiently and to a high standard. The client was happy that their feelings were considered, and were excited to rejuvenate the property ahead of moving into it.
Do You Want Help with a Dry Rot Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in Leicester are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 0116 201 8017, or you can request a survey online.
