What is timber decay?
Timber decay is damage to timber, often associated with dampness, caused by fungal or insect infestation.
Identifying timber decay
Visible signs include:
- Fungal growth
- Cuboidal cracking
- Soft wood
- Damp or mushroom smell
- Red spore dust
- Small holes in the timber
Causes of timber decay
The prime cause of timber decay is exposure to dampness either from leaks, water ingress, condensation or rising damp.
Hillcrest timber decay survey
The key element of the timber decay survey is to establish the full extent of the decay within the structure of the property and it may be necessary to carry out an exposure to facilitate this.
It is also necessary to establish the source of the water which initiated the decay and eliminate this as soon as possible.
Treating timber decay
It may be necessary to remove infected material, timber, brickwork, plaster and associated fungal fruiting bodies.
Remaining masonry and timbers can be treated with appropriate fungicides/pesticides and preservatives.
Reinstatement is carried out using pre-treated timber sections isolating where necessary in a preservative bandage.
All works are carried out under Hillcrests strict supervision and a THIRTY YEAR GUARANTEE for the treated area is issued on completion. |
