Dry Rot Case Study
Case Study Number 3 Dry Rot
A middle of terrace type property in the Canton area of Cardiff. The saying buyer beware could not be more oppropriate for this tale. Storm received an instruction to inspect a property suffering from an outbreak of dry rot. The fungal decay was located in the rear of the property. The home owner explained he had just moved into the property and was in the middle of some general decoration works.
Upon removal of the wallpaper it was clear the area was infected by the true dry rot fungas (serpula lacrymans). Futher investigation was to show the the decay had migrated to the sub floor area and the timbers were structurally weakened. Immediate remedial work was necessary.
Firstly Storm Damp Proofing had to locate and rectify the source of the decay. Externally it was clear the existing render finish on the property, had come to the end of its working life. It had been concealed by recent paintwork to freshen up the exterior walls normally for sale purposes. The wall was simply acting as a sponge allowing moisture ingress to enter the inner leaf fabric of the building,contaminating everything in its path.
Storm recommended externally all the rear elevation walls were scaffolded . The existing defective render removed complete and the walls re-rendered to a specification. Internally Storm recommended the walls were stripped bare and all surrounding infected timbers removed. In situ chemical treatment was recommended in conjunction with the drying out process. Re-instatement works could then be carried out correctly. The client did not undertake a pre purchase damp and timber report (which does not cost a fortune.) Buyer beware! The images attached are of before and after treatment:
Before
