Tapco HomeDry Services are qualified timber infestation surveyors (CTIS) and have many years experience diagnosing wood rot and insect damage in buildings.

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Information

Wood is an inherently durable material which is resistant to most biological degrade provided it remains dry. However, prolonged wettings lead to a risk of decay by wood-rotting fungi, though susceptibility varies according to the wood type. Many types of fungi can be found in buildings and it is therefore essential that they are correctly identified if the right treatment is to be given.

Wood-rotting fungi obtain their food by breaking down wood cell walls, causing loss of strength. They cannot utilise wood below 20% moisture content and therefore do not occur in buildings unless poor design or building faults have led to water entry, damp or condensation. If your property has been diagnosed as having rising damp, we would strongly recommend that any timbers that are in contact with damp masonry are thoroughly inspected.

There are two main types of wood-rotting fungi found in buildings, wet rot and dry rot. There are many species of wet rot fungus and the same remedial measures are required for all of them. However, the successful remedial treatment of dry rot will require more elaborate and sometimes very expensive measures and should only be investigated by a qualified timber and damp surveyor (CTIS CRDS) and eradicated by a specialist company who are members of the Property Care Association (PCA) (The British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association).

Survey

Tapco HomeDry Services are qualified timber infestation surveyors (CTIS) and have many years experience diagnosing wood rot and insect damage in buildings. We will advise you of our findings in our written detailed report and submit our recommendations for the preservative treatment that is required and an estimate for such work.

Most cases of wood rot arise as a result of rainwater ingress or rising damp so an external survey will be carried out as a priority. As most properties are occupied our internal survey could be restricted but, where practical we will lift the floor coverings and any short ends of floorboards and be as thorough as the conditions allow. Where moisture content exceeds 20% there is a high risk of fungal attack. The level of moisture will be measured using an electronic moisture meter and the risk will be recorded.

Treatment

Our experienced operatives also have many years experience and the preservatives we use are classed as ‘non hazardous’ and have a one hour re-entry time. Any heavily affected timbers will be replaced using new pre-treated timber in accordance with building regulations.

Guarantee

Our work is covered by our Twenty Year Guarantee. Protection by The Guarantee Protection Insurance is available.

Procedure