Dry Rot

To avoid dry rot, regular upkeep and maintenance is essential to ensure the comfort of any home. However, in spite of regular care, fungal infestation may damage the wooden structure of your building. If left untreated, fungal decay may lead to a structural failure of floors, walls and roof timbers.

At Preservit Ltd., we specialise in dry rot treatments. Utilising our deep expertise and moisture meters, we not only locate dry rot, but also eliminate the underlying cause of the outbreak. To restrict the damage, our experts replace defective timber and undertake repairs where necessary to ensure optimal structural strength and stability. Dry rot can result in expensive repair work if not identified and treated … what’s more, it’s important to eliminate the underlying cause. Therefore, our experts leverage their wealth of experience to identify the root cause and the extent of damage. Based on this information, we employ a suitable dry rot treatment method for the eradication of the problem.

What is Dry Rot?

If you suspect your property has dry rot, this can be a serious issue if left untreated for a long period of time. Dark, damp, or hidden places that are prone to leaks are commonly where this problem can occur and also remain undetected and neglected. If left for too long, the disruption of repair and the resulting cost can be highly problematic for property owners. Preservit specialise in identifying and treating dry rot in the following areas – Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Cannock, Stafford and the whole of the West Midlands (also Shrewsbury, Telford and the Shropshire area).

How do you know you have a dry rot problem and how do you fix it? You need to be aware of your property and most importantly, use your eyes and your nose! Here are some of the tell-tale signs …

Differences in your Wood’s Texture and Appearance

Changes to the look and feel of your wood are a common sign of dry rot – regularly inspect your skirting boards, door frames and flooring. They may be noticeably dry and crumbly or you may notice visual indicators such as a shrunken/warped appearance or cracks that appear due to lack of moisture. Spongy feeling flooring can be a common sign of rotting and softening.

A Damp and Musty Smell

A damp, musty, ‘mushroom-like’ smell in the air is a very common sign of dry rot. This could also mean that it is active and potentially spreading, so make sure that you contact a damp proofing specialist if you notice this.

White Mycelium

This is known as the penultimate stage in the life cycle of dry rot. It has the appearance of cotton wall balls which is quite easy to recognise. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find as it is usually located beneath voids in the floor where there is little ventilation and a damp, humid atmosphere is present.

Dry Rot Fruiting Bodies

Fruiting bodies are the final process in the cycle with a distinctive mushroom type appearance (which can also be described as ‘pancake-like’ with an orangey surface). This can be characterised by being fleshy to the touch and containing noticeably wide pores.

‘Cobweb-like’ Grey Threads

Always be wary of the appearance of distinctive grey strands on the timber in your house. These are signs of dry rot spreading around your property in search of damp/moisture and will have the appearance of cobwebs prior to closer inspection. If you notice this, it is vital that you contact a dry rot specialist immediately.

Advanced Stage – Red Spore Dust

The appearance of spore dust from fruiting bodies indicates that dry rot is now at an advanced stage in your property. This will occur when the fruiting body explodes and spreads these spores into the atmosphere in search of further sources of moisture. Due to its reddish-brown, rusty appearance, this is easy to identify and should be acted on immediately.

If You Suspect a Dry Rot Problem, Don’t Delay!

As soon as dry rot is present in your property, it can spread extremely quickly so it is vital to act as soon as possible. Dry rot identification and removal is a process that must be done by specialists (as simply treating the immediate problem will not completely eliminate its presence for long). In addition to treating the affected vicinity, repair/replacement of the damaged wood and completely removing the initial source of the dampness is absolutely essential.

Contact Preservit for expert advice and request a survey now! We have the experience, knowledge and expertise to identify and remove your dry rot problem with minimum disruption to your schedule. In addition to this, you can rest assured that your property will remain free of dry rot for the foreseeable future!

Preservit are damp proofing experts in the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Birmingham area.

Dry rot fruiting body