Wet & Dry Rot

We undertake the treatment of all Wet and Dry rot infections where required.

Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) specifically will typically affect timber with a moisture content in excess of 20%. For this reason, removing the source of moisture should form the core of any dry rot eradication strategy.

Timber can become damp for a number of reasons. Among the most common causes are leaking washing machines, shower trays, baths etc. The dampness can also come from outside the building, for example, leaking roofs, rising dampness, or dampness penetrating through walls. Whatever, the source of the dampness, if it is rectified and the timber allowed to properly dry out, the dry rot will eventually be controlled.

However, it is not always possible or practical to be sure that the timbers will remain dry in the long term. Therefore, it is important that secondary measures are taken to defend against re-infection. Any affected timbers should be removed and replaced with pre-treated timber (replacement of timber should be carried out by the clients own contractor). Any remaining timbers at risk of being affected by the rot should be treated with an effective fungicide. Where the dry rot has passed through the masonry, it should be isolated using physical containment and/or masonry sterilisation.

Our ProBor* range of products are particularly suitable fungicides for the treatment of dry and wet rot, as they are able to spread much more deeply into the timber than conventional preservatives. This gives them an extensive performance advantage, as no wood preservative can start working until it comes into contact with the fungi that it is designed to defend against. ProBor products are also suitable for masonry sterilisation.

*ProBor is a trade name belonging to Safeguard Europe Ltd