Client: Domestic
Our client, a homeowner in Aylesbury, contracted Timberwise to survey their property after a historic case of wet rot decay. This property was a detached farmhouse of solid brick construction, and was both occupied and furnished at the time of our inspection. The weather conditions were overcast and wet.
Challenges
The inspection was restricted to accessible areas of the roof void. Access is usually the primary challenge our surveyors face, as it can impede their ability to fully diagnose a property, or the potential spread of an infestation or fungal outbreak. Our surveyors are backed by Timberwise’s 55 years of industry experience to ensure a property is fully assessed and diagnosed prior to any remedial treatment to ensure the full extent of a concern is addressed.
Observations
Our surveyor began by conducting a brief external examination of the property from ground level. However, this inspection revealed no obvious defects, and so our surveyor continued the inspection inside the property.
Inside the property, our surveyor identified a historic case of wet rot fungal decay in the main roof void. This was present in a primary timber beam over staircase leading into the loft space.
Our surveyor used an electronic conductivity meter to assess the current moisture content of several ceiling beams that showed signs of fungal decay. These tools are ideal for measuring the moisture content within timber, but can also be used on masonry or plaster to provide an indication of damp within a property.
In this case, the moisture level within the timbers were normal, and each timber was dry to the touch. Our surveyor therefore concluded that the cause of the attack was historical water ingress, which had previously been treated. However, the structural integrity of the beam remained compromised, and required remedial intervention to prevent further decay or failure.
Solutions
Having discussed our findings with our client, our surveyor created a treatment plan that would finalise the repairs from previous water ingress and remove any trace of fungal decay within the roof void.
To begin, our technicians installed several temporary timber supports to carefully prop the affected beam during repair. This would prevent any unexpected collapse, and would allow our team to carry out the necessary repairs in a safe and controlled manner. Once the beam was secured, our technicians cleared several protruding bricks and loose materials from the brick void.
Now having a clean area to work from, our technicians began the task of restrengthening the beam. As the damage to the beam was repairable and didn’t require replacement, our surveyor recommended a combination of resin and steel rods, to preserve as much original material as possible.
To achieve this, our technicians cut a slot into the beam. The steel rod was then inserted into the slot and filled with a specialized resin. Once dry, the steel rod would reinforce the remaining wooden beam, while the resin would fill any small pockets created by the decay, ensuring the beam was once again structurally solid.
Once the resin had dried, the final step was to prevent any potential for recurrence. In the cleared brick void, the timber ends were wrapped with a damp proof membrane to protect the joist ends from moisture ingress. The masonry was then restored to its original condition, completing the repairs on the property.
Results
Our surveyor successfully identified and remediated a case of historical wet rot decay in a primary structural element within our client’s roof void, restoring the beam’s load-bearing strength and structural integrity. Our client was delighted with the outcome, and had peace of mind provided by a 5-year guarantee for the timber treatments and structural repairs conducted which ensured the longevity of their repair.
Do You Want Help with a Wet Rot Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in Oxford are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 01865 389 720, or you can request a survey online.
