Dry rot is a highly destructive fungal growth which affects timber. The fungi spread swiftly by feeding off the wood cells, which makes the timber brittle and extremely vulnerable. Dry rot spores can even penetrate other materials such as brick or steel to reach wood in another part of the structure.
Because of its ability to move through a variety of building materials, dry rot can cause serious and widespread structural damage with alarming speed, so it’s essential to recognise dry rot early signs and treat the infestation as quickly as possible.
How Can I Tell If I Have Dry Rot?
Dry rot can affect timber in any part of a building, and it can be found in modern or older structures. During the early stages, there may be no visible dry rot early signs, but you’ll notice an earthy, musty, damp smell that’s quite unpleasant. Any hint of this and you must investigate further.
Dry rot begins as a tiny spore which flourishes in damp, dark and unventilated conditions. Consequently, the problem often begins in hidden areas – under floorboards or in attics and basements, for example. By the time dry rot becomes visible, it’s probably well-established already, so it’s a good idea to be aware of dry rot early signs.
What Does Early Dry Rot Look Like?
Dry Rot develops in four stages.
Stage One: Red Dust
The first dry rot early sign is a red or orange dust composed of numerous microscopic spores. These spores are present in the atmosphere all around us and at this point they are harmless.
Stage Two: Hyphae
If there’s excess moisture in the atmosphere the spores begin to germinate. You’ll know this has happened as they start to put out fine white or grey strands that look like spiders’ webs. These fine tendrils are hyphae, and the fungus uses them to penetrate timber and suck up moisture. The wood then dries out and begins breaking down. If you spot these dry rot early signs, you can be sure an infestation is underway.
Stage Three: Mycelium
Once moisture is extracted from the immediate area, the hyphae continue to grow. They form whitish clumps which look very much like cotton wool. These fluffy clumps are called mycelium and if these appear it’s vital you act at once.
This is the point at which dry rot can travel through masonry and bricks to cause huge structural damage. You also want to prevent the fungus from reaching stage four of its development.
Stage Four: Fruiting Body
At this stage, the mycelium forms a mushroom-like structure (the fruiting body) where new spores are produced. They’re easy to spot as they are a distinctive red colour. The fruiting body then pumps spores into the atmosphere in order to reach new timber, and so the damage spreads.
How Does Dry Rot Affect Wood?
The affected timber tends to grow darker when dry rot sets in. It dries out, shrinks and cracks. Sometimes it has a spongy texture. Eventually, the wood disintegrates into small, crumbly cubes of timber. In some cases, wood retains its surface veneer during the early stages. This conceals the underlying damage until the problem becomes too severe and the wood begins to fall apart.
If you suspect you have a dry rot problem and you have wooden floorboards, this can be a good place to begin your investigation. The problem often starts under the floor so you won’t see it but there will be clues. The floor can begin to feel bouncy, and you may notice it creaking as well. This is one of the dry rot early signs that there’s trouble below.
Does Dry Rot Go Away on Its Own?
Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. The spores need moisture to germinate so you might imagine that removing the water source stops them from doing so (fixing a leaking pipe, for example). That may halt the spread for the time being. However, if the spores run out of damp wood, they simply remain dormant – ready to germinate again as soon as conditions are right.
In addition, dry rot weakens timber so even if the spores become dormant you still face the prospect of structural damage. Waiting for it to go away will lead to further problems in the end.
Can You Stop Dry Rot from Spreading?
Yes, you can but once dry rot sets in you’ll need professional help to stop the spread and repair structural damage.
What Is the Best Treatment for Dry Rot?
At Atlantis Damp we know that each situation is different, so we tailor our approach to your specific requirements. Our surveyor carries out a thorough investigation to identify the source of the dry rot. Then we implement an appropriate treatment plan.
We always aim to use environmental controls by fixing leaks and improving ventilation. However, it may be necessary to do more, depending on the circumstances. Here’s a general overview of the process.
Step 1: Pinpoint the Source
Identify the water source that’s causing the excess moisture and repair the leak.
Step 2: Isolation and Ventilation
Where possible we use environmental controls to decrease humidity to prevent dry rot from recurring.
Step 3: Assess the Extent of the Dry Rot
This may involve removing floorboards and plaster to reach the affected areas.
Step 4: Remove Damaged Timber and Fungal Growth
Rotten wood is cut back and replaced with new timber. The entire area is cleaned to remove all traces of the dry rot – visible spores, hyphae, mycelium and fruiting body must all be removed.
Step 5: Fungicide Treatment
It may be necessary to treat the area with a chemical fungicide to guard against outbreaks in the future.
Contact Atlantis Damp
We are a family-run, Cheshire-based business. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and expertise. Talk to one of our friendly team for a reliable solution to your damp and timber infestation issues.
Have you noticed a pungent, mushroomy smell wafting through your home? Are mould or stains forming on your walls or ceilings?
If the answer is yes, then you’re likely to be witnessing the first signs of condensation in your home.
Homeowners should be aware of the damage that condensation and damp can cause, and act fast to have it removed.
In this article, we identify the main signs of condensation and damp to watch out for, before explaining how you can treat damp in your home.
What Are the Main Signs of Damp?
Musty smells, visible moisture staining, rotting timbers and growths of mould are all visible signs of Condensation in your home.
But there are many more signs that may go unnoticed and only become apparent after a thorough inspection of the premises.
If you’ve noticed any of the following signs of damp or condensation, it’s time to call in a professional for a closer look:
Pungent, mushroom-like smells
Mouldy patches
Damp patches
Rotting timbers and woodwork
Salty tide marks on the walls
Cold or wet ceilings, walls or floors
Peeling plasterboard or wallpaper
Water droplets clinging to walls
Damaged or crumbling masonry
Leaks, broken pipes or damaged drains
What Problems Can Damp Leave You With?
Damp can damage your home, cause health problems, and lead to serious structural issues if left untreated. Major problems caused by damp include:
Damaged decoration and furnishings
Health issues, such as coughing, asthma and other respiratory problems
Rotten timbers and weakened structural supports
Weakened brickwork and masonry
The need for costly repairs
How Can You Treat Damp and condensation in Your Home?
If you spot any of the main signs of damp and condensation in your home, it’s important to schedule a professional damp survey immediately. A survey is the first step towards treating damp, and the surveyor will identify the cause, source and type of damp afflicting your home before recommending the best fix.
The exact treatment will depend on the type of damp, the extent of the damp problem and where it’s located, but common fixes include:
Repairing or replacing damaged brickwork and rotten timbers
Replastering walls with damp-proof materials
Lowering the external ground level of a building so it’s below the damp-proof course
How Can You Protect Your Home From Damp and condensation?
There are several ways to protect your home from damp in the future, the majority of which involve removing opportunities for moisture to enter your home and allowing moisture laden air to escape your home too. Common methods include:
Ensuring all pipes and gutters are fixed and clear of debris
Keeping your home well ventilated
installing ventilation systems
Injecting a damp-proof course into the walls
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation is to Find Out More about the Main Signs of Damp and Condensation
If you’re worried about damp in your home, Atlantis Property Preservation is here to help. Our highly qualified team of experts can advise you on the main signs of damp and carry out a professional survey to identify its source.
We often get asked about the cost of damp proofing. If you want to keep your home moisture free, then a damp-proof course is vital of that. A damp-proof course is an effective way to stop water from entering a property from the earth, and it helps protect your home against moisture damage that causes decorative spoiling.
But how much does a damp-proof course cost to install? You can trust the expert team at Atlantis Property Preservation to explain everything you need to know.
What Is a Damp-Proof Course?
A damp-proof course, or DPC, is designed to form a protective, waterproof barrier that stops moisture from seeping into your home. Damp-proof courses create an impervious barrier that makes it impossible to dampness to rise up the walls. They are commonly made from impermeable materials, and they are typically installed in the mortar bed below the internal floor level to protect against rising water.
There are several types of damp-proof courses available, each of which has different associated costs. The most common DPCs include:
Chemical damp-proof course injections
Mortar damp proof-course injections
Electroosmotic damp-proof courses
Why Do You Need a Damp-Proof Course?
A damp-proof course is a vital protective measure that may stop your home from suffering damage from damp. Furthermore. here are the most important reasons to ensure you have a damp-proof course installed:
Keeps your home protected against rising damp
Prevents problems that arise from dampness, including wet rot and mould
Helps you to avoid health problems, such as respiratory illnesses, that may certainly arise due to black toxic mould spores associated with condensation. Therefore black mould is likely to form on the coldest walls in your home, and damp walls are naturally colder than dry walls, which makes black mould more likely in a damp home.
Increases the value of your property over time
Saves you money in the long-term, as you avoid paying for costly repairs.
What is the cost of Damp Proofing?
The cost of a damp-proof course varies from one property to the next. Major costs will include the materials and labour, so the size of the property and the type of DPC being installed will affect the overall price.
The major factors that affect the cost of damp proofing course include:
The size of the area that requires damp-proofing within your property
The time that’s needed for the work to be carried out
The type of DPC you’re going to have installed
Additional survey, damp-proofing or repair work to your property
Additionally, if damp has already taken hold in your property, you may also need to factor in other costs in order to fix and remove the damp problem before a new DPC can be installed. For an accurate estimation, it’s essential that you have a consultation with a damp-proofing specialist and have a detailed survey undertaken.
What Is Included in the Cost of a Damp-Proof Course?
With a professional company such as Atlantis Property Preservation, the cost of a damp-proof course may include the following:
Pre-installation survey, with any upfront survey cost deducted from the invoice of any required works.
Installation of the damp proof-course
Replastering or membrane installation
Tanking solutions to cater for any shortfall
Solutions to solve penetrating damp
Solutions to solve condensation issues
Clean up and removal of waste materials
Warranty
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation for more information and arrange for our expert team to visit your home.
Atlantis Property Preservation’s experienced team of damp-proofing specialists will ensure that your property is fully protected.
Although mild in appearance, condensation can wreak as much havoc on a home as other forms of damp, if left untreated. This is especially the case when found in and around windows. In this article, we’ll examine how condensation occurs and how to get rid of condensation inside windows.
What Is Condensation?
Before delving into how to get rid of condensation inside windows, it’s helpful to explain what condensation is and why it poses a serious threat to your property. Condensation is the process whereby water vapour makes contact with a cold surface and becomes liquid. This can appear as water droplets, pools of liquid water or a layer of dew on or around those surfaces. Aside from being a frustrating task to wipe away, condensation can have serious consequences in the form of mildew and black mould. These can bring damage to walls and furnishings, and spark breathing problems from inhaling mould spores.
Why Does Condensation Happen?
Day-to-day activities such as cooking, drying clothes indoors, and bathing increase the amount of water vapour inside a building. When that moisture cannot escape and temperatures decrease, the vapour will condense to liquid water on cold surfaces. This occurrence is especially prevalent during winter when activities are primarily done inside. At the same time, temperatures fluctuate due to heating going on and off, and plummeting temperatures outside.
How to Get Rid of Condensation Inside Your Windows
If your home suffers from condensation, it has likely made an appearance inside your windows. Typically, condensed water found inside double-glazed windows suggests that the seals around the window are damaged. Hiring a professional to replace the damaged seals will prevent further harm by condensation. However, when researching how to get rid of condensation inside your windows, ventilation and dehumidification are also useful methods. Opening windows, using ceiling fans or installing air vents to help moist air circulate can all help with ventilation. Investing in a dehumidifier will also remove water vapour, so that condensation can’t happen.
How to Prevent Condensation on Your Windows
Condensation is the result of simple daily actions. Similarly, preventing condensation can be achieved by simple actions. Solutions such as opening windows and rearranging houseplants seem small, yet demonstrate significant results when considering how to get rid of
condensation inside windows
Much like ceiling fans, extractor fans are useful in reducing moist air and preventing condensation. When installed in rooms that produce the most water vapour, for example kitchens and bathrooms, fans will siphon the moist air outside. Dehumidifiers are excellent tools to reduce moisture, although a certain amount of humidity is required in a property, generally around 30–50%. If you want to reduce condensation yet retain a healthy level of humidity, consider putting your dehumidifier on a lower setting. As unconventional as it sounds, the houseplants placed around your home can help to prevent condensation; the key is to use plants that absorb moist air. Aside from preventing condensation this can also improve overall air quality. Condensation is not only a consequence of moist air indoors, but also temperature fluctuations. Therefore, maintaining a low and consistent temperature for longer rather than changing the temperature for short periods of time will ensure a constant heat where condensation cannot form on surfaces.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation
At Atlantis Property Preservation, our team of experts are on standby to help you to find the most suitable treatment for how to get rid of condensation inside windows.
Condensation on windows is a regular sight throughout the year. Condensation is the most common form of damp that properties can suffer from. Luckily, it’s also possible to prevent condensation.
If you’re worried about condensation in your home, we’re here to explain its causes and how to prevent it.
What Causes Condensation in your home?
Condensation forms when hot, moist air hits a colder surface like a windowpane or an external wall. Warm air naturally holds water droplets in the form of moisture, and when warm air cools down or collides with cold surfaces, the moisture condenses into water droplets, causing condensation.
You’ll typically see condensation on windows when the moisture content of the air is heavy. Condensation can also lead to black mould growth, particularly where air flow is stagnant.
Moisture is generated in the home due to the way we live. This can happen when you have a hot shower, put the kettle or dry washing on a radiator.
Condensation is even more likely to form during the winter when there are more colder surfaces in your home. Lower temperatures mean the air can hold less moisture, and when you’re more likely to have the heating on high.
Why is It Important to Reduce Condensation in your home?
Small amounts of condensation in your home might seem harmless, but there are several important reasons to resolve the issue. It’s important to remember that condensation is a form of damp; it can still cause damage to your home and lead to health problems.
For all of the reasons below, it’s important to reduce condensation in your home:
Leads to the growth of damp and mould patches in your home
Causes musty, odorous, lingering smells
Damages wallpaper, plastering, decor and furniture
Can create the conditions for wet and dry rot
May cause respiratory problems and other illnesses
How to Prevent Condensation in your home
Luckily, there are several key methods that can help to prevent condensation in your home.
Effectively, you either need to either increase ventilation or warm up the surfaces, remove opportunities for dew point to be reached on cold surfaces. For mild problems, it can even be as simple as opening the back door when you’re cooking, or switching on the extractor fan when you’re having a hot shower.
Key prevention techniques include:
Improving ventilation throughout your home
Opening windows and doors
Making use of extractor fans
Installing dehumidifiers
Improving the insulation in your home
Running the heating at a minimum of 16 degrees during winter
How Can Atlantis Property Preservation Help Prevent Condensation in your home?
Atlantis Property Preservation is here to help treat condensation problems in your home. If you’re concerned about the level of condensation appearing in your home, our specialist technicians can undertake a damp survey to uncover the cause of the problems.
We’ll investigate the source of the condensation and check for signs of any other types of damp, such as rising or penetrating damp. We’ll then provide you with a detailed breakdown of the problem, and solutions to treat it.
Our team may recommend a thorough ventilation plan for your home, which may include the installation of specialist ventilation systems that keep condensation to a minimum.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation for More Information about Condensation.
Atlantis Property Preservation’s experienced team of specialists will reduce the risk of condensation in your home.
Contact our friendly staff today to find out how we can help you.
