At ProTen Services, we are your local experts in treating and resolving timber decay and wet rot and dry rot problems. Read on for more information about the differences between the two types of rot, along with an overview of what you can expect from our timber treatment and repair services.
Dry Rot
Dry rot is a wood destroying fungus which develops in dark, out of sight, damp places, making it difficult to detect in its early stages. It will spread very quickly in prolonged damp conditions for example where there is an ongoing undetected leak or a penetrating damp issue such as a leaking roof.
What are the signs of dry rot?
Early indications of dry rot will include a softening and shrinkage of wood and a mushroom type smell. It has the capability to travel through brickwork and plaster in search of its food source which gives it its highly destructive nature.
How does dry rot spread?
Airborne spores naturally present in the air, land on damp timber where they will begin to germinate. If left to continue, white fungal growth will appear and strands will begin to form which will spread using the moisture and wood as their food source. A pancake shaped fruiting body will form and eventually explode, producing a mass of rust red airborne spores which will settle on timbers and so beginning the process again.
How do ProTen survey for and treat dry rot?
At the initial survey, our industry qualified timber surveyors will look for the cause of the dry rot outbreak, investigating where the damp conditions are coming from and how far the outbreak has spread.
They will evaluate for all possible contributing factors; reasons for the damp conditions, water ingress points, ventilation and signs of further wood rot and decayed timbers. They will recommend and ensure the accurate treatment procedures are applied.
Treatment for dry rot involves:
- Elimination of all points of water ingress causing the damp conditions
- Removal and replacement of rotted timbers
- Treatment of insitu and replacement timbers
- Application of the appropriate fungicidal spray, timber pastes or dual purpose fungicide
Treatment is carried out by our teams of trained operatives who have the skills and use the correct products to ensure the rot and its spores are destroyed to ensure complete eradication in both the short and the long term.
The range of wood preservatives and biocides we use as part of our treatment and repair solutions are the most up to date products available. They combine maximum effectiveness with minimum level of hazards to the health and safety of the buildings occupants and of course to the environment.
Wet Rot
Wet rot is a general term applied to the many different species of fungus which cause timber decay. Timbers exposed externally to the elements and timbers in contact with wet soil, wet masonry, plaster and a damp atmosphere are all at risk from wet rot. It could occur due to a leaking roof, from a buildup of moisture on window frames and on timbers that have been left untreated.
Wet rot spores will result in blackening of timber which causes cracking and crumbling. Timbers will continue to weaken as more moisture enters the timber and breaks down the timber cells. White rot is another type of rot which can bleach affected timbers leaving them pale in colour resulting in timbers that will crush easily rather than crumbling.
Treatment for wet rot involves:
- Elimination of all points of water ingress
- Removal and replacement of rotted timbers
- Treatment of insitu and replacement timbers
- Application of the appropriate fungicidal spray, timber pastes or dual purpose fungicide and insecticides.
Our specialist teams use the latest practices, techniques and materials available to deliver the best timber treatment solution and service always.
Contact ProTen today for timber decay advice and for more information on our wet and dry rot treatment and timber repair solutions.
Our Guarantee
Our work is guaranteed through our own ProTen Company Guarantee and we offer further peace of mind via our third party Guarantee Protection Insurance Scheme.
Our Accreditations
We are true experts in our fields, but don’t just take our word for it…
“I would just like to communicate my appreciation to James’s (ProTen Surveyor) excellent customer service. I found him to be very professional and yet courteous and willing to compromise to deliver the said works in a way that was acceptable to us both. This is a rarity in customer service these days and hence I have no hesitation in recommending ProTen as a company that prides itself in Customer Excellence. Please do commend him on my behalf.” – Homeowner, London
