Repair the cause before replacing the damage
The wet source comes first
We address leaks or moisture before new timber goes into the affected area.
Strength is checked
We assess what can remain and what has become too weak to keep.
Replacement wood protected
We apply specified fungicide or insecticide where the repair requires it.
Persistent damp leaves timber soft and weak
Wet rot develops where timber remains damp, often beside a leak, failed drain or area with poor ventilation. The decay normally stays close to the moisture source, but it can still leave joists, boards or other wood too weak to serve their purpose. Warning signs include softness, cracking, darkened wood and a damp or musty environment. We inspect the affected section, measure the extent of decay and consider how much strength remains. Most importantly, we trace what is keeping the timber wet. Replacing wood before correcting that fault merely gives the same moisture a fresh piece to attack.
Dry the area before fitting sound timber
Our wet rot treatment sequence starts by stopping moisture ingress and improving drying conditions where needed. Once access is available, we remove unsound material and replace affected timber when its strength is no longer adequate. Suitable fungicide or insecticide can be applied to replacement wood where the specification requires it. We also consider ventilation, nearby masonry and concealed surfaces that may stay damp after the obvious leak is repaired. A free timber preservation survey and quote allow us to set out the source, affected sections and proposed repair before dismantling more than necessary.
Frequently asked questions
What does wet rot look and feel like?
Affected wood may feel soft, look darker than surrounding timber or show cracking and loss of strength. A musty smell or nearby leak can provide another clue, but we inspect the timber to confirm the type and extent of decay.
Must all timber affected by wet rot be replaced?
Not always. We assess the remaining strength after identifying the damp source. Timber that remains sound may be retained and treated where suitable, while sections that can no longer perform safely need to be removed and replaced.
Why must the moisture source be repaired first?
Wet rot depends on persistently damp conditions. If a leak, drainage fault or ventilation issue remains, replacement wood can become wet as well. Removing that cause gives the repaired timber a much better environment.