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Dry Rot

Photo of a RoofThrives in moist unventilated conditions. The Dry Rot fungus has off-white to yellow-ish colour and resembles cotton-wool in its early stages but can develop into mushroom like shapes with thick off-shoots if not addressed. Dry Rot is particularly virulent and can quickly penetrate brickwork to attack structural timber. If left unattended, Dry Rot will cause widespread destruction of structural timbers, and extend to any timber detail throughout a property from skirting boards to door frames and wood floors. As damp and unventilated areas are often difficult to access and therefore seldom seen, it is not uncommon to find extensive Dry Rot damage.

The Solution

As Dry Rot is a real threat the integrity of structural timber, we take a pragmatic approach to eradicating the fungus by first addressing and removing the source of damp then introducing proper ventilation. These environmental measures are far less invasive than the wholesale removal of timber - by reducing the need to expose and cut out infected material, environmental controls also reduces damage to the fabric and the finishes of a building. Where there is a case to support it, we will take steps to isolate and remove all timber that has been affected and then treat adjacent timber with sprays designed to control rot and inhibit its spread.

Wet Rot

Natural timber decay is a result of excessive moisture content, usually around 50% or more. Wet Rot is often the result of a failed structural element which is exposing the timber to increased levels of water. Common causes include damaged or missing paint finishes, adjacent rising damp or the absence of a structural detail which would have otherwise deflected water away from the affected timber. The Solution: It is vitally important to first ascertain the extent of wet rot in structural timber and the likely ramifications for the integrity of the building itself. The first step is then always to address the root cause of the problem - most likely a structural defect. Delta damp services specialists are equipped to deal with all manner of structural repairs. Once these preliminary measures have been taken, we can then replace any timber that is beyond effective repair.

Woodworm

Comprises several species of insect who feed on timber, the most common type being the Furniture Beetle. Attack from the Furniture Beetle is relatively easy to deal with but other species, particularly the Death Watch Beetle pose a more significant risk to structural timber. The Solution: A survey is usually required to correctly identify the type of infestation and also whether the insects are still active. Efforts must be made to determine if timber has been structurally weakened and is in need of being replaced. Once investigation works are complete, timber replacement and preservation works can be undertaken to remove insects and protect against future attack.

Timber Services

Provided that structural timber is well maintained, it should last several life times. Ultimately, most forms of timber deterioration occur in structures exhibiting the presence of damp and/or inhibited (or lack of) ventilation.

We have a range of timber preservation solutions to deal with timber degradation caused by fungus and insect attack.

We treat each case on its own merits, carrying out a thorough survey to correctly identify the problem and determine the most appropriate solution.