Rotting timber is a major concern for homeowners the length and breadth of the country. Having well-treated and well-maintained timber can help, but, in reality, it’s a problem that any of us could face. The best you can do is look out for the signs that something is seriously wrong with your timber, and then act quickly.
It can be intimidating when you first discover rotting timber, especially as we all know the damage it can do. There are different problems that you could be facing though, so you need to identify the specific problem before you can take action. This guide will help you do both those things.
Dry Rot
How to Identify It
Unfortunately, dry rot is the worst kind of rot your timber can face. It’s caused by a form of fungus which can quickly spread. This is the biggest danger attached to dry rot, it will spread to every bit of timber within reach and can even bypass brick to reach more timber.
What you should be looking out for is an off-white fungus that resembles a material like cotton wool. This is how it will start, but will become more obvious and grow larger strands in later stages. The fungus will crack the timber, and when the rot is fully set in, the timber will just crumble on contact.
How to Treat It
Firstly, prevention is the best measure. The easiest way to prevent dry rot is to remove the conditions under which the fungus thrives. This means installing a modern ventilation system.
It might be best to let an expert treat your dry rot problem because of the expertise required. It can be possible to do it yourself, but it won’t be quick nor cheap. You’ll have to remove all the affected timber and any timber or brickwork in the immediate vicinity. Then you will have to go through fungicide treatment processes. Finally, replace the materials you removed.
Wet Rot
How to Identify It
If your timber is suffering from wet rot, count yourself lucky. That may seem like a strange thing to say, but it’s a lot easier to treat than a case of dry rot. Wet rot is usually caused by the timber being exposed to water.
You should regularly check any wood that is in a place where water collects. Over time, this exposure will lead to wet rot. If the timber feels softer than it should and appears darker near the edges, it is probably suffering from wet rot.
How to Treat It
To prevent wet rot, simply make sure that you don’t let water gather near or on your timber. Damp in the walls can also cause it, so look out for this.
If the rot is already set in, you will just have to remove the timber and replace it. This is simple as long as it only concerns a small area. But if the problem is structural, you’ll have to get an expert to look at it, as this is much more serious.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you identify the cause of your rotting timber and given you an idea of how to treat it. Remember, if you have any further concerns, contact a local expert.