Has your property's damp issue caused wood rot?
Waterproofing brickwork is not only about preserving the bricks and mortar of a property. If you have been experiencing water ingress, plaster blistering, or mould in your house, it won’t go away on its own. In fact, if left untreated, the dampness will even move into the woodwork.
Wet rot and dry rot is a symptom of timber in constant contact with water. If left untreated it can spread through your property and encourage the growth of various fungi, with possible effects on health.
To ensure your property stays in the best condition, it is essential to know the basic signs that moisture in the walls has begun to spread into the timber. Knowing this means that it might not be too late for a mould prevention expert to carry out essential work at a relatively low cost to ensure that it doesn’t come back again.
You should look out for the following signs of wood rot or decay inside your property:
- Soft, brittle or rotten wood around windows/doors
- Discolouration to wooden areas
- Cracks in painted wooden surface
- Shrinking and cracking of wooden surfaces
- Timber distortion or movement
- Obvious smell of damp or mould
A lot of wood in a property is superficial, but we must remind ourselves that a big percentage of it helps maintain the entire structure. If the structural timber in our homes becomes damp, it will move, causing damage to other aspects of the building and potentially becoming unsafe.
Rising Damp
Penetrating Damp
Condensation
Woodworm
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Does your timber have woodworm holes?
Woodworm is caused by the larval stage of wood boring beetles that eat their way into untreated timber. These woodworm larva will then mature into adults, producing more young to repeat the cycle.
Unfortunately for London homeowners, these larvae love a damp and humid environment. Moisture in walls can provide the perfect home for larvae, especially during summer months. If you notice small holes in your woodwork or unexplained powdered waste (frass), we recommend seeking assistance before the problem gets much worse. Our homes are something we shouldn’t take for granted, so it’s imperative to ensure we tackle small issues while they’re still easy to control.
The holes from woodworm are easy to recognise, usually around 1mm to 2mm in width and generally occur in wood that is already affected by damp or rot. Keep a look out for:
- Small beetles around your home, usually in summer
- White woodworm larvae present on wooden surfaces
- Crumbly timber on windowsill edges
- Multiple holes visible in woodwork
- Powdery dust (faeces) present on woodwork
If left untreated, woodworm will cause enough damage to make timber unusable, whilst also spreading to other areas of your property. Here is what can happen when a property becomes infested with woodworm:
- The tunnels and exit holes created by woodworm will eventually weaken timber
- Floorboards begin to fail, becoming unable to support our weight
- Roof timbers can become severely damaged
- Beams and joints in our woodwork become unstable
- Furniture and decorative woodwork can degrade
- The value of a property can significantly decrease
Timber Treatment London, How it is Done?
Our London Damp Proofing professionals begin by inspecting the building to thoroughly analyse the woodwork. Once we have determined the source of the infestation, we will provide you with a price for the most effective solutions.
The type of solution is going to vary based on the affected areas, the kind of beetle, and the underlying cause. Because woodworm flourishes in saturated wood, damp treatment is frequently the first step.
The insects themselves can be destroyed using speciality fluids or gels that target wood-boring bugs. More often than not, woodworm treatment comprises various steps, addressing both the source as well as the symptoms.
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