Ideally, timber should be treated when it is first installed, but in most cases, we inherit timber when we buy a property. Timber that is untreated is susceptible to wood-rotting fungi and wood-boring larvae, which ultimately can threaten the structural integrity of the property, causing danger to inhabitants and incurring significant costs.

When purchasing a property, it is advisable to invest in a timber survey, so that any potential problems can be addressed. The three most common causes likely to impair timber are: 

Woodworm
This is a general term for wood-boring insects that infest timber by feeding on the cellulose, causing damage and weakness to the structure. Our highly trained operatives use the latest insecticidal fluids, or insecticidal paste in deep-seated cases, to eliminate woodworm on contact, as they pass through the treated timber. Heavily infested timbers may need to be replaced or repaired using resin repair techniques, and our team is fully experienced in this.

Dry Rot
Affected timbers are dry and brittle, with cuboidal fractures that can easily be crumbled by hand. Any type of dampness or lack of ventilation can cause dry rot to attack timbers, and it is vital to locate and destroy the source of the moisture to determine the best cause of treatment. Our operators will repair or replace all faulty timbers, and treat retained timbers and masonry with the latest fungicidal formulas to prevent further attack.

Wet Rot
Depending on the species, decayed timbers are bleached or darkened, with cuboidal or long cracks, which can become infected with wood-boring weevil. Wet rot is the most common cause of decay in structural timbers and generally thrives on extensive moisture content. It does not have the ability to spread through a structure and growth will cease when moisture is removed.