Rot Eradication & Woodworm Treatment

Dry rot has been described as the cancer of buildings. Its effects can be devastating if left unchecked. An infestation is a serious problem that must be addressed properly, and without delay. It is important to choose a Specialist Contractor that has experience to deal with the problem professionally.

Wet rot decay can often be historic and localised, and is usually less disruptive to deal with than dry rot. In older buildings it can take the form of slow degradation of timber in contact with damp masonry or brickwork, where there are no provisions of damp proof membranes for protection.

We have vast experience in dealing with timber decay and fungal activity in buildings: In dilapidated structures, comprehensive replacement of building fabric might be the preferred option, whereas in high value historic buildings a less intrusive and more innovative solution might be called for. At Craigrownie Parish Church in Cove, a dry rot infestation in the roof structure was affecting large and ornate exposed roof beams. We were able to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the interior by executing structural resin repairs to the affected timbers situated within the area of infestation. More recently at Queens Crescent in Glasgow we successfully supported and restrained the entire front facade of a building in order to remove the front portico timber baulk beam that had compressed due to the effect of dry rot infestation, causing serious structural damage to tons of masonry above.

Woodworm Treatment

In Scotland this usually takes a form of in-situ spraying of flooring and/or roof structures affected by infestation of the common furniture beetle. Occasionally, structural repairs will be required if the infestation is old, or particularly intense. All of the insecticide products that we use are relatively low toxicity and subject to COSHH regulations, ie safe to be used in a domestic environment.

Woodworm

Common furniture beetle (aka Woodworm or anobium punctatum) is the most common wood boring beetle in the UK.

Deathwatch Beetle

Deathwatch beetles resemble woodworm although it is larger, with ~3mm holes. Deathwatch beetle is not usually found in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

House Longhorn

This insect can cause severe structural damage in a relatively short period of time. It is a large insect that produces large oval holes (6-10mm in diameter) and tunnels, which coalesce, resulting in severe internal damage.

Wood boring weevil

This insect occurs in timber that has rotted, common in kitchen floors where damp has caused the boards and joists to rot. The tunnels tend to be along the grain, occasionally breaking the surface. Weevil activity is frequently misdiagnosed as woodworm.

Bat conservation

All 15 species of bats in the UK and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Country side Act 1981. Under section 9, it is illegal for any person (without a licence) to intentionally disturb, injure or kill a wild bat: to possess or exchange a bat, or to intentionally damage or obstruct access to any place that a bat uses for shelter or protection. Bat roosts are often found in the roof spaces of rural buildings.