A beginner’s guide to wet rot and how to avoid it

Living and owning a home in London delivers many of life’s pleasures. It is one of the most exciting cities in the world, which attracts millions of visitors each year, keen to enjoy all that it has to offer. Those with a property can take advantage of the same attractions and ways to spend their time, along with the security of having a property, which is likely to be sought after owing to the demand. However, there are issues to be aware of that require constant attention.

Older properties in the capital can contain damp, as the city is built on clay, which holds water. Many might also begin to show the signs of ageing with cracks in the structure or pointing that needs replacing, allowing water inside. One of the consequent issues can lead to wet rot. In this article we shall explain what exactly wet rot is and how to avoid and deal with it.

The issue of wet rot is caused by fungi which thrive in damp conditions. That is why, at the first sign of damp in the home, it is important to have it assessed and attended to. Simply leaving it can lead to widespread problems, which will be more costly and time-consuming to put right. Penetrating or rising damp can be identified by the usual telltale signs. That might be a musty smell in the home which does not go away, or the discolouration of walls as the damp takes effect. Skirting boards can show signs that they are not in the same condition as before, while moisture and droplets often indicate that there are issues that require dealing with. All of which should be looked at by experts like woodworm treatment specialists near me.

Wood in the skirting boards, along with joists and any other timber in the home, suffers when wet rot gets to work, as it makes it softer and spongier. It can often be detected by touch by a beginner who, if they feel that they may have an issue on their hands, might require wet wall repair. Those in that situation do not need to panic, as you are reading this blog on the website of a family-run business that specialises in all manner of damp and has the right answers waiting at affordable prices so that your property can remain in excellent condition for years to come.

Wet rot treatment will be carried out by experts in a professional manner, who will find the cause and then, quite possibly, replace the wood that is the problem and apply a fungicide to stop it from returning. Of course, the source of the leak and water ingress will also be dealt with so that the issue doesn’t recur, along with the advice to have the woods treated so that they are increasingly protected.

Any homeowner concerned that their property might be affected by wet rot should give us a call immediately by calling 020 7593 8030 so that we can carry out a rapid diagnosis.