Rentokil Property Care - Dry rot treatment in Batley, West Yorkshire

Rentokil Property Care were called out to survey a property affected by fungal decay.

The homeowner had suspected a fungal decay issue in the ground floor and booked a survey to identify the problem and offer a solution.

A Rentokil Property Care surveyor can provide a timber survey for properties across Batley, with all surveys beginning with external observations. This allows the surveyor to understand any potential problems that may be causing moisture ingress into the premises, causing timber issues.

The surveyor noticed high ground levels around the front of the property, in relation to the internal floor construction. This may allow moisture penetrating into the brickwork, and then into the timber.This moisture could then germinate and cause fungal growth in the sub floor area.

The surveyor also noticed a lack of airbricks on the front elevation meaning there was a lack of ventilation meaning little to no air flow underneath the floor.

This provides perfect conditions for dry rot spores to germinate and attack timber.

Inside the property carpets were lifted to provide better access and the surveyor found evidence of dry rot fungi.

Dry Rot spores are ubiquitous and they are in the air around us at all times. Spores will germinate and grow in timber with a moisture content of between 20 and 30 per cent.

Fungal hyphae may clump together into a variety of structures known as mycelia which takes various forms depending on the surrounding conditions.They may fill a humid cavity as a cotton wool-like mass, or grow across the surface of the timber as grey-white skin.

The first step in any dry rot treatment is to remove the source of moisture causing the fungal spores to germinate.

Then all affected timber is cut back and removed. The technicians will then apply a surface application of fungicidal fluid to the brickwork and wire brush the surfaces. Joists are then reinstated before a moisture resistant chipboard floor covering is placed down. Any timber that is in contact with a masonry surface is wrapped or capped to protect it.

Damaged skirting boards and door frames were also replaced and the area was then replastered ready for redecoration.

This work was backed by a 20 year guarantee giving the homeowner peace of mind that the property is protected long term.

Surveyor Lloyd Jones said “a lack of ventilation and a leak is the perfect condition for a dry rot outbreak. In this case the client had the dry rot fruiting body appearing up out of the sub floor void through the carpet and door frames. If left it can destroy large amounts of timber and require significant remedial work.”

If you think you have a dry rot problem in your property get in touch with Rentokil Property Care for a thorough and detailed inspection.