How To Treat Wet Rot

Wet rot is the generic term applied to several types of wood-destroying fungus. It is important to deal with outbreaks because not only will wet rot decay deteriorate over time, but it demonstrates that there is a damp problem in the house that will need to be fixed alongside treating and/or replacing any timbers affected by rot.

If you require expert help and advice from our specialist wet rot treatment team, do not hesitate to get in touch with Rentokil Property Care. Give us a call or click the button below to book a survey with one of our locally-based surveyors.

After a wet rot survey has been completed, a solution has been agreed upon and our surveyor has arranged a suitable date with you; our technicians will come and repair your wet rot problem.

Our trained technicians will go through the following steps to identify any cellar fungus, fungal decay, or wood rot and deliver a treatment process to leave your home free from fungal decay.

1. Identify the Moisture Source & Repair it.

As we discussed on our guide to wet rot page, the fungus requires damp timber with an excess moisture content of 50% or higher to grow. Naturally, this means the first step to treating wet rot is to identify the fault in the building that is causing water ingress and eliminate it. Sometimes this involves investigating through sections of the masonry and sub-floors in the building.The spore attracting moisture could be from any number of sources like traditional damp problems like rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation. Other sources like roofing failures and leaking gutters are particularly damaging, allowing water to spread over large areas before being discovered. Our damp proofing and wood-decaying fungus treatment experts will ensure that all affected areas are identified and repaired.

2. How to repair Wet Rot in wood.

Following on from step 1, the next step is to dry out any affected timbers before treating them with our unique formula wet rot fungicide.A protective chemical barrier in the form of a fungicidal spray, paste or injection is applied to structural timbers and brickwork that are affected by the wet rot fungus. Once applied, the fungicide will not only eradicate any traces of wet rot, but also protect the surfaces from further infection, fungal growth, decay, and woodworm infestations in the future.

3. Replace Timbers Damaged by Wet Rot.

Even after a course of rot treatment, if the rot fungus has degraded and damaged the wood to the point that it has become weak and structurally compromised then it may be necessary to replace it with sections of pre-treated timber.

Our specialist team can install Epoxy resin techniques to replace decayed beam ends and cracked joists where necessary.

As the adage goes, prevention is better than the cure, and it is possible to prevent a wet rot outbreak in your property. The following steps can help prevent wet rot:

• Be vigilant for any damp patches and leaks and fix them at the earliest opportunity.
• Regularly check roof tiles and guttering for damage that could result in water ingress.
• Ensure the property has adequate ventilation throughout, especially in typically damp or humid rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.

Additionally, wet rot tends to flourish in places where water leaks so regularly check the sinks, baths, showers, toilets and washing machines in your property. Fixing a small leak now can prevent the need for professional wet rot treatment in the future.

Wet Rot occurs when a high moisture content is present in timber. This allows the wet rot spores to germinate and start feeding off the timber, causing it to soften and wear down over time. The spores germinate when the moisture content of the timber is over 20% and once the timber is infected with rot, it will begin to lose its strength. Water ingress from rising damp and penetrating damp can create the conditions that allow a wet rot outbreak to thrive.

Wet rot often goes unnoticed due to its tendency to develop in dark poorly ventilated areas. Wet rot is commonly found in attics, under floorboards and stairs, door frames and cellars. It is also common in wooden floorboards under leaking appliances and fittings such as washing machines, baths and showers. It can be difficult to distinguish between wet rot and dry rot so if you are unsure, we would always recommend speaking to a rot specialist.

Like anything, if you have the expertise, wet rot can be treated with DIY solutions. However, wet rot treatment can be a time-consuming and risky job for anyone that does not have the right experience, training, or access to the necessary fungicide and tools.

Also, while cutting out rotten timbers and replacing them can vary in difficulty, the real benefit of professional treatment is that the cause of the water ingress will also be fixed and decayed timbers replaced with pre-treated sections of timber or epoxy resin solutions. Naturally, any dry rot repair work or wet rot treatment conducted by our team is protected by our twenty-year guarantee. This ensures the wet rot problem does not return and offers complete peace of mind.

Before treatment, one of our qualified surveyors will conduct a thorough property inspection (wet rot survey) to assess the extent of the rot problem and decide whether there is a need for treatment. At this point, plaster, skirting or panelling may need to be removed to determine the full extent of wet rot and its causes.

Our surveyor will also:

• Check for sources of damp that led to the rot
• Look for associated problems such as dry rot, damp or woodworm infestations
• Identify other areas of your property that could be at risk
• Provide the most cost-effective solution to your problem
• Provide you with a full report outlining findings and repairs in each specific area of your property

At Rentokil, we guarantee professional, effective wet rot treatment carried out by specialist wet rot technicians who are experienced in resolving rot issues in homes and business premises. As part of our expert service, all our wet rot treatments are covered by our 20-year guarantee, which can be passed on to future owners of your property.

With over 60 years worth of experience in the removal and treatment of wet rot; you can be sure your property will be in safe hands with us. Thousands of homes and businesses across the UK have benefitted from our trade body certified and industry accredited wet rot treatment services.

If you have spotted wet rot and want to talk to someone then please do not hesitate to contact our wet rot specialists. Call us today or click the button below to book a wet rot survey online and receive a £25 discount.