Dry rot has a fearsome reputation, and that reputation drives some of the most destructive and unnecessary work done to old buildings.
What dry rot actually needs
Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) is a fungus, and like all fungi it needs moisture. It attacks damp timber and can grow across and through damp masonry in search of more. What it cannot do is survive in a dry building. Remove the source of moisture and dry the fabric, and the outbreak dies.
Investigate before you strip out
The traditional response of cutting out large areas of timber and plaster well beyond visible growth and irrigating walls with fungicide destroys historic fabric and frequently fails to address the leak, defective gutter or trapped moisture that caused the outbreak in the first place.
Our investigations establish the extent of the outbreak, whether it is active, and above all the moisture sources sustaining it. Micro-drilling and moisture measurement let us assess concealed timber without wholesale opening up.
Proportionate repair
The repair strategy follows the evidence: eliminate the moisture sources, promote drying, replace only timber that has genuinely lost its strength, and monitor to confirm the fabric is drying. This protects both the building and the budget.
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