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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> dry rot?? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1137007100 Message started by supersteve on Jan 11^th, 2006, 7:18pm

Title: dry rot??
Post by supersteve on Jan 11^th, 2006, 7:18pm

i had a leakin pipe so went under the floor,,fixed the pipe then has a look around,,to my horror i saw what is like cotton wool all on the walls and on the floor joists.what could it be and will it be expensive??

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by splinter on Jan 11^th, 2006, 8:04pm

I think it is wet rot as opposed dry rot.Firstly the source of moisture needs to be found and stopped ,which you have done, next the affected area needs ventilation to prevent a damp atmosphere ,which is what wet rot loves. :)

ps don't forget to apply a fungicide and presevative. ;D

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by supersteve on Jan 30^th, 2006, 5:43pm

ive now had a few different rot firms out telling me 2 different stories :o,,first off it turns out the problem is deffo dry rot rather than wet,,one firm told me they are going to have to replace all the affected floor joists and also stip alot of plaster of the walls at least on meter away in all direction from the last affected area,remove most of my bathroom because the floor joists directly underneith are affected and also all the tiles and plaster needs to be removed,,then drill and pressure inject into the brickwork some form of chemical,then obviously replaster and replace in my bathroom suite.
the second firm says they can just spray the affected area with a specialist treatment,obviously there is a massive difference in price £8700 compared with £2200 from the second firm.the first chap who came out deffo seemed to know his stuff,,gave a very thorough check over the whole property then explained in great detail the whole proccess,however the second firm(the cheaper of the 2) the surveyor was a young guy,who i feel didnt really know what he was talking about imo.
does anyone know exactly how this problem should be addressed???
thanks

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by hamilton on Jan 30^th, 2006, 10:43pm

The more expensive of the two is spot on. If you have the 'cotton wool' then it's dry rot (Merulius Lacrymans).

If you plan on staying in the house then get it done properly, and most of all QUICKLY, if conditions are right it can spread at an alarming rate, and contrary to belief can go through brickwork.

Most important of all is to make sure that you have a good flow of air to the affected areas.

Make sure that the rubbish is burnt at completion of job.

If the leaking pipe was caused by a fracture, then you will be able to claim from your household insurance, if it was just old you can't.

A bill from a plumber to repair a fractured pipe goes a long way.

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by WOLF on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:26pm

I'm afraid to say that Hammy is spot on, Supersteve, those cotton wool " traces as you called them, will get between the plaster and brickwork, and again like hammy states, it is best done Very soon, not later, as it can if any one within the property has asthma, or any breathing related problems, inflame them making life not to pleasant!! ..
i do not mean to alarm you like this, but it is amazing, just how many illnesses arte related to wet/dry rot within the structure of buildings!!

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by WOLF on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:33pm

i can e-mail you a data sheet if you need Supersteve!!, it even tells why to hack off the plaster!!! let me know if you need/want it!!

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by hamilton on Jan 31^st, 2006, 3:18pm

Wolfie, I would like a copy of that data sheet if you don't mind. Thanks in advance. :)

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by hamilton on Jan 31^st, 2006, 3:22pm

I rather think I remember being told, that if conditions are 'right', it can travel over a foot a day.

I also remember squeezing a joist, and it just turned to dust in my hand.

Pity the mushrooms arn't edible, they don't arf get big. ;)

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by Scrit on Jan 31^st, 2006, 4:14pm

wrote on Jan 31^st, 2006, 3:22pm:

I rather think I remember being told, that if conditions are 'right', it can travel over a foot a day.

In a previous house I can remember going away on job on a Monday morning and getting back on Friday night to find the mycellum or whatever they are called had made it most of the way across our partly tiled lobby floor - about 6 feet. I live in the Pennines and it's so damp up here tha almost all really old houses have a certain amount of dry rot - leave the heating off and have a slightly leaky roof and it's off and running (we'd had the flashing on a stone lean-to roof fail). I reckon that you could probably race the stuff if you had the patience ;D

Scrit

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by CWatters on Jan 31^st, 2006, 6:10pm

Have you checked your house insurance? Perhaps it covers it?

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by supersteve on Jan 31^st, 2006, 7:32pm

wrote on Jan 30^th, 2006, 11:33pm:

i can e-mail you a data sheet if you need Supersteve!!, it even tells why to hack off the plaster!!! let me know if you need/want it!!

recieved,,thanks very much

Title: Re: dry rot??
Post by WOLF on Jan 31^st, 2006, 8:46pm

No problems dear chap!!!!any time, glad to of helped!!! 8)