Although it may seem strange, the long days of summer are the highest risk time for dry rot to take hold of an area of timber. After a wet winter and a changeable spring, the dry rot finds that the increased temperatures offer a perfect breeding environment.

Dry rot prevention work and timber preservation can save future stress and expenditure. Speak to leading dry rot specialist firms about timber treatment. Learn more about safeguarding your timber throughout a residential or commercial property.

Dry rot timber treatment

When a dry rot issue is discovered, it’s imperative to contact qualified and experienced timber treatment experts at the earliest opportunity. Please do not try DIY treatments, you may inadvertently treat a too broad or too small area, use the wrong products and essentially make the issue worse. Don’t take that chance.

Experts like the team at Thames Valley Timber Treatment are there to help with comprehensive and safe solutions. Remember, if DIY approaches worked there would be no need for professionals.

Dry rot’s Latin name is Serpula lacrymans and the fungus is known to be very destructive. It fruits and spreads quickly and feeds on the cellulose in the timber to thrive. You won’t save money by ignoring the issue, it won’t vanish, it will keep spreading. You’ll also place yourself and others in greater danger by allowing the dry rot to continue without professional timber treatment. Structural damage is common.

What causes dry rot?

As it only requires 20% moisture dry rot can be caused by a lack of ventilation, broken pipework, blocked guttering, a build-up of condensation, leaking windows or door frames. A room that’s been largely untouched could also fall prey to dry rot, as can flooring, under staircases, cupboards, corners and behind wall panelling.

The longer that dry rot can fruit, the greater the area of timber that is under threat. An inspection routine proves vital to early detection.

It may not be a favourite task but being proactive about spotting signs of dry rot and speaking to dry rot prevention firms is good housekeeping. A few minutes surveying the property, particularly hard to reach areas, could result in a smaller timber issue and a less costly treatment solution.

Spores, fruit and dry rot

Dry rot needs dampness, air and food (the cellulose) to flourish.

The dry rot spores are in the air already, they simply need the right conditions to embed themselves, that means damp timber.

The dry rot fungus fruits and produces spores and more fungi in a continuous cycle. You could see red-brown spore dust if the fruits burst. Dry rot prevention and timber preservation work would halt the process before it started.

Creamy white fungi with veining and a mushroom aroma are strong hints that you have dry rot but wet and dry rot look similar so please consult industry experts.

Please don’t ignore timber preservation. Given the suitable conditions, dry rot will take hold so don’t give it a chance to.