Dry Rot

Dry Rot (Serpula Lacrymans) can remain undetected in buildings, causing extensive damage which, if left untreated, can prove very costly to repair.

The onset of decay is invariably linked to a high moisture content, often as a result of external building defects allowing excessive water ingress, an internal plumbing leak or severe condensation due to poor ventilation. The timber absorbs moisture in these damp conditions and becomes vulnerable to fungal attack.

The first step in the eradication process is to eliminate the source of moisture. The defective timbers can then be removed and the walls sterilised, following which reinstatement works can be completed.

We provide the correct advice and appropriate treatments in all aspects of dry rot.

Wet Rot

Wet Rot decays are generally more localised and also less destructive than Dry Rot.

It is essential to have correct identification by a qualified surveyor to avoid potential spread or development of the problem and unnecessary expense.

Please contact us for further advice if you suspect this type of problem.

Woodworm

There are a number of wood-boring insects that attack timber in properties in the UK, however in Scotland the two most common are the Common Furniture Beetle and Wood Boring Weevil.

All buildings over 30 years old are susceptible to Common Furniture Beetle infestation (Anobium punctatum), which can cause structural damage in buildings if not treated. The Wood Weevil is an insect that prefers extremely damp conditions and the infestation is usually found in decayed timbers. Chemical treatment is therefore not always necessary as elimination of the dampness and removal of the decayed timber solves the problem.

We have over 25 years experience in the treatment of these insects. We can identify if the infestation is active or inactive, has caused any structural damage and whether treatments are required. Following our detailed inspection, we shall specify the most cost-effective treatment for your particular property.

Rising Damp

Whilst all new buildings are constructed with the benefit of a physical damp proof course, in older buildings where these barriers do not exist or become damaged the walls can become affected by damp rising from the ground into the base of the walls.

Rising Damp is unsightly and potentially unhealthy, often leading to timber decay in older properties where the unprotected timbers come into contact with the damp masonry.

This problem is frequently misdiagnosed and it is therefore essential that the specialist surveyor has the knowledge and experience to clearly identify the different causes of dampness.

We always recommend the most cost-effective treatment specification, providing you with both the correct diagnosis and long-term solution to the damp problem.

Penetrating Dampness

Penetrating damp is generally caused by a lack of maintenance, such as roof defects, blocked gutters or rainwater downpipes.

The first sign of a problem in this respect is generally staining to the external masonry or a damp stain to the internal walls, although penetrating damp can affect a wall for a considerable period before any staining or discoloration is visible internally. This is a particular problem in solid stone walls with a cavity between the stonework and internal lath/plaster wall linings. Often by the time the dampness appears on the internal wall surface, more serious damage has occurred to timbers built into the wall thickness.

Maintenance of any property is paramount. We can advise you in this respect and carry out any remedial works if your building has been affected by penetrating dampness.

Condensation

Damp conditions at the base of walls may be greatly increased by condensation. This occurs when warm moisture-laden air cools to 'due point' (the temperature at which moisture condenses) against a cold wall surface.

Intermittent occupancy along with sporadic heating creates suitable conditions for condensation on these cold surfaces, particularly in ground floor bedrooms. Condensation can be an additional cause of damp to the base of walls rather than 'rising damp' alone.

We provide appropriate advice and remedies for all condensation problems.