Providing Dry Rot Treatments in Hornchurch, Essex

Dry rot - otherwise known as “serpula lacrymans” – is the term given to a timber-destroying fungus caused by unprotected timber becoming damp. Our team in Hornchurch, Essex, understands it is a very serious timber condition that often does damage to timbers that are hidden from view, behind wall fabric or below floors. The term “dry” rot is a bit confusing, as all wood-decaying fungi need a minimum amount of moisture before decay begins. Speak with our team to arrange a dry rot treatment and rid your property of it effectively.

What Causes Dry Rot?

Dry rot can occur in a property when unprotected or untreated timber has become damp. Timber is at risk of a fungal attack when the moisture content of the timber is higher than 20%. There are many reasons that can cause the timber to become damp. This includes:

• Penetrating Damp through Walls
• Penetrating Damp through Roof Coverings and Chimneys
• Plumbing Leaks
• Rising Damp
• Condensation
• Below Ground Damp Level

A Concern After Damp

Even if your damp problem has been resolved, the dry rot that affected your timber when it was damp may well still be there and active. Any damp problems that can affect your property can dampen your timber to above 20% moisture content and raise the risk of fungal attack. If you have not noticed a damp problem but think you have Dry Rot, this indicates that there is - or has been - a concealed damp problem affecting the area. The area of your house affected by the rot will be a useful indicator of the type of damp problem you may be facing.

Dry Rot Identification

It is important to identify whether timber decay has been caused by dry rot or another wood-destroying fungus such as one of the wet rots. This is because dry rot can travel through building materials other than timber, giving outbreaks the potential to spread quickly through a building. For this reason, additional measures (such as masonry sterilisation) may be required when treating dry rot outbreaks.

Additional Services

In addition to dry rot treatments, we also provide wet rot treatments.