Independent Damp and Mould Surveyors

We can detect timber decay of structural timbers caused by wood rotting fungus Serpula Lacrymans and Coniophora Puteana, which if left, can have a devastating effect on the building fabric within a house.

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The life cycle of Dry Rot (serpula Lacrymans) can be categorized into four primary stages. Initially, dry rot manifests as microscopic spores which, in sufficient concentrations, may appear as a fine orange dust. Upon exposure to adequate moisture, these spores germinate and develop fine white strands known as hyphae. As the hyphae proliferate, they eventually form an extensive mass referred to as mycelium. The culminating stage is the formation of a fruiting body, which disseminates new spores into the surrounding environment.

 

Wet Rot (coniophora Puteana) is limited to very damp timber or plaster and unlike dry rot requires a very high moisture content to survive. The high moisture content required by wet rot is often a result of defective interior plumbing, gutters or down pipes. We can correctly diagnose any type of timber decay affecting a property and will provide a professionally written report following completion of the independent survey.

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Wood-boring insects, including certain beetles such as those commonly referred to as 'woodworm,' feed on timber and can cause significant damage to building structures. In the United Kingdom, notable species include the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum), the death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum), and other lesser decay insects like the house longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus), primarily found in southern regions of the country. The larvae of these beetles burrow into wood, where they eventually pupate and emerge as adult beetles through flight holes or fissures to mate. Female beetles lay eggs in crevices, potentially utilizing old flight holes, thus perpetuating the lifecycle.

Furthermore, termites, another type of wood-boring insect, may become increasingly prevalent in the UK due to global warming.

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Our combined timber decay and woodworm surveys start at £295

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