THAMES VALLEY PRESERVATION LTD

Timber decay is mainly caused by moisture penetration. There are a number of fungi which cause decay in building timbers, these are either Wet Rot or Dry Rot. Our TVP surveyor will be able to establish the type of rot, its probable cause and extent of remedial action.

Wet Rot

Timber continuously exposed to damp conditions causes many  different types of fungi to develop and decay timbers. They can cause a darkening of the timber (brown rot or bleaching (white rot).

Common types of 'white rots' are Asterostroma spp, Donkioporia espansa and Phellinus contiguous.

Areas where this is more likely to occur are:

Timbers in contact with damp masonry, timbers exposed to the elements or via long term exposure to leaking pipe work.

TREATMENTS

Treatment would involve cutting out rot affected timbers and replacing with new pre-treated timber. Ensuring new timbers are kept isolated from damp masonry via a damp proofing membrane.

Dry Rot (Serplus Lacrymans)

Dry rot is classified as a 'brown rot' and is one of the most destructive types of fungi. It is secretive fungus that favours dark damp and stagnant conditions to develop, which is why it is able to spread extensively before the damage is detected. We find that approximately 80% of Dry rot cases are caused by poor maintenance of a building.

The fungus is able to spread relatively rapidly from an initial outbreak, it can spread through damp masonry as well as to other damp timbers in contact with the infected area.

Affected wood is brown and shows a shrinkage, loss of weight, loss of strength and a 'cube' like cracking. Fine threads of fungal growth develop into a larger mass, the mycelium, which grows into and across the damp wood this has a cotton-wool like appearance.

TREATMENT

Treatment of Dry rot is extensive, involving cutting out all rot affected timers, removal of surrounding plaster and sterilising surrounding masonry and timber. All new replacement timbers will need to be pre-treated and isolated from masonry with a damp proof membrane.

Once and outbreak of Dry rot has been diagnosed further destructive investigations may need to be undertaken to establish the full extent of the attack.

GUARANTEE

We offer a company guarantee for all specialist remedial damp proofing, timber treatment and tanking works undertaken by TVP Ltd. Installations of chemical damp proof courses and timber treatments are issued with a twenty year guarantee and structural waterproofing with a ten year guarantee.

We can also provide for a small fee insured guarantees through the Guarantee Protection Insurance Ltd, these guarantees are only available through properly qualified and approved members.

RING NOW TO BOOK A SURVEY!

Tel:01491 629923

Email:info@tvpres.demon.co.uk