Client: Domestic
A homeowner in Surrey requested a damp and timber survey from Timberwise after noticing some issues in their kitchen floor and the adjoining wall. The property is a semi-detached house of solid brick construction, and at the time of our inspection the property was occupied and fully furnished. This survey was limited to the ground floor kitchen and bathroom, to check for a case of dry rot. The weather conditions at the time of the survey were dry and sunny.
Observations
At the rear of the property, our technicians found that there was inadequate ventilation to the kitchen’s timber floor. Without proper ventilation, this can reduce air flow to the timbers and therefore provides a greater risk of attack by fungal decay. In cases like these, it is essential that the construction is maintained in a watertight condition to avoid the potential for internal dampness and condensation.
An inspection of the kitchen and adjacent bathroom revealed significant fungal decay to the kitchen floor structure and adjoining walls, with Dry Rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) and decay present on both the joists and bearing timbers, as well as the below ground masonry. The cause of this was determined to be the lack of ventilation noted above.
Why is Dry Rot a Danger?
Dry rot spores are always present in the environment but only become active when timber becomes damp, usually above 20% moisture content. Once active, the fungus spreads through timber and masonry, breaking down the wood’s structure. This leads to cracking, weakening, and the familiar cuboid appearance.
Left untreated, dry rot can travel across walls and affect large areas. That’s why it’s essential to act quickly and get a professional assessment. You can find more information about dry rot and its impact on our Dry Rot Treatment page.
Work to be Done by Timberwise
After thoroughly surveying the kitchen and bathroom’s condition, Timberwise’s technicians advised on the ideal solution for our client. They first advised the client on removing all affected materials within the two rooms, including plaster, tiling, plywood, and timbers. This would create an opening for the technicians to thoroughly clear the area of the Dry Rot fungus.
Once cleared, our technicians would clean the below-ground masonry using a wire brush, and then liberally apply biocide gel to remove as much of the remaining fungus residue as possible. This would significantly reduce the amount of existing fungus, and prove a less ideal environment for it to regrow in.
Once remedial treatments had concluded, our technicians could plan steps to reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence within the property. The introduction of new air bricks into the external wall of the property would improve ventilation to the sub-floor, and the application of our LignaTek fungicidal gel to the new joist ends would significantly reduce the likelihood of the fungus taking hold again.
The technicians also recommended the addition of a Toxic Box to the affected walls. This would involve drilling small holes into the affected walls at regular intervals in a 30cm wide band (A similar method is also used around any doors or windows). These holes would then be injected with LignaTek fungicidal gel to create a protective barrier against future fungal outbreaks within the wall.
Finally, Timberwise’s experts recommended a plan to renovate the affected rooms within the property. This included the Installation of new treaded bearers, floor joists, and moisture-resistant caber floor; New floorboards in both the bathroom and kitchen; new studs in the partition wall; and replacement MDF architraves.
Results
The proposed works provided a long-term solution to the dry rot issue, ensuring the property was protected from future outbreaks. With over 50 years of industry experience, our PCA-qualified surveyors delivered a reliable and effective treatment plan.
Do You Want Need with a Dry Rot Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in London are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 0208 226 4168, or you can request a survey online.
