Preservation

Wet rot

Only occurs in timbers that have been exposed to high levels of moisture, often exterior doors and windows, skirtings and lower parts of the door frame when the paint has been allowed to peel and when rising damp is allowing moisture to be drawn into the timber. Eliminating the cause and source of moisture will help stop further deterioration especially if timber is re-treated . Timbers will need to be stripped, treated with a chemical wet rot treatment and repainted, or timber cut out and replaced in severe cases.

Dry rot

As the name suggests, this needs much less moisture than wet rot and is found instead in areas with poor ventilation. Fungal spores attack timbers (and sometimes masonry) and deterioration progresses at an alarming rate, meaning professional treatment is required urgently. Eliminate any source of moisture, ensure adequate ventilation (by installing airbricks if necessary), cut away any damaged timbers and treat with a chemical eradicator.

Efflorescence

A white powder deposited on walls, as soluble salts migrate to the surface of a wall or ceiling, often indicating dampness this can be eradicate using proprietary made stabilising solutions which carry anti-fungicides or more cheaply mixing vinegar and water as a solution.

We have had situations where ridge tiles have leaked and water has run down the rafters to the wall tops, where there are wall cavities, water will drop to the lowest level or accumulate on unwanted cavity fill, spilled mortar and wall ties clooged up with mortar, thus encouraging further damp problems and making the source of damp and moisture notoriously difficult to trace and recommend an appropriate remedy.

Rising Damp

Waterdrawn up from the ground permeates the walls to a height of approximately 1m, rarely beyond. It may mean the building was built without a Damp Course (DPC). The DPC is damaged or missing, or that something – such as earth in a flower bed may be bridging the DPC barrier. There will be patches of damp or efflorescence appear on the inside plaster. This can be remedied by repairing or renewing the DPC, removing any bridging materials and treating the external wall with breathable waterproofing solutions (remember this alone will not solve the underlying problem). If the internal damage is not to severe the wall can be treated and redecorated.