Dry Rot Specialist In Dorking

Concerned about dry rot in Dorking? Tapco Homedry can help to protect your home from the widespread damage associated with dry rot. Start with a home survey and quote to determine the extent of the damage and the next steps to put things right. Contact our team today to arrange your dry rot home survey in Dorking.

What is dry rot?

Dry rot is the name for a type of fungus when it finds its way into your home. This fungus is more commonly found on the forest floor where it breaks down fallen timber to clear space for new growth. However, it can also find its way into your home where it will attack and break down wooden structures that have become damp. Dry rot is commonly seen as a secondary problem to a damp problem.

Despite its name, dry rot actually needs quite damp conditions in order to thrive. The fungus can find its way through masonry and into your home where it attaches to damp wood. The fungus secretes an enzyme that will digest the lignin and cellulose within the wood, which leaves it crumbly and brittle.

Left untreated, dry rot can cause extensive damage in your home. Since it attacks wooden structures such as floorboards, roof rafters and staircases, it can quickly cause catastrophic structural damage to your home. Get in touch with Tapco Homedry to arrange your home survey and quote to help restore your home and prevent further damage.

Spotting the early signs of dry rot

As a homeowner, you can protect your property by learning how to spot the early signs of dry rot and damp problems. There are multiple stages, and we can intervene at any level. If you are able to stop a damp problem before it develops, you can avoid secondary problems such as dry rot.

The first sign you have a dry rot problem in your home is usually an earthy or musty smell. Upon further inspection, you may discover a furry white growth on the wood in your home. As the fungus matures, it will develop a copper orange bloom that spreads from the centre. This will cast brick red spores around your home, which help the fungus to spread. Since dry rot can make its way through masonry, your neighbour’s property could be at risk if they also have a damp problem.

The wood left behind by dry rot is dark and brittle. It will break down easily between your fingers as it has lost all structural integrity. Dry rot also causes the wood to develop a distinct cracking structure that causes it to break down into small cube shapes.