Wet Rot Treatment Services in Hastings

Because wet rot thrives in those out-of-sight areas in a property like under flooring, in the loft or beneath the stairs, a damp, musty smell is often the first indication of an issue. Unfortunately, this indicator is common to all types of damp and the damage it causes. It’s therefore vital to hire the experts. They’ll correctly identify the issue and advise on how best to treat it. In Hastings, B P Preservations are experts you can trust.

When Wet Rot Occurs

Wet rot is caused by damp in a property and that excess moisture can come from a wide variety of sources. It’s not just old homes that can suffer from wet rot and damp issues more generally – newer properties are all just as vulnerable if the conditions are right. Lack of property maintenance and poor workmanship in the past, which can leave guttering leaking, the failure of the damp course or cracked and missing roofing tiles, can all lead to damp problems over time.

Equally, though, the way we live or work in buildings can cause damp issues. Double glazing and highly effective forms of insulation can remove the proper ventilation needed to prevent condensation build-up from daily activities like cooking, showering and drying damp clothes. If you’re working on a property that has a persistent damp, musty smell, it’s important to have it assessed for damp issues.

The Effects of Wet Rot and The Solution

While wet rot doesn’t spread throughout a property like dry rot will and the effects tend to be localised to single, damp areas, it can still become a major problem if it’s affecting structural timbers. Wood becomes spongy to the touch, the affected area is darker than surrounding paintwork and you may notice cracking or splitting along the timber’s grain.

Once wet rot has been identified, the first course of action is to prevent the ingress of moisture, whether that’s fixing roof tiles, mending a cracked pipe or resealing a bath or shower tray. Affected timber is replaced, and surrounding areas are treated with a fungicide to prevent reoccurrence.

The initial step is to diagnose the problem. Call B P Preservations in Hastings on 01424 429 682 for a full damp survey and expert recommendations on removing damp and its effects from your building project or home.