What We Do at Steve Edwards and Son

Black mould growth is often the first visible sign of condensation, usually present on decorative surfaces such as wallpaper.

The mould and its spores also cause a musty odour and often give rise to respiratory health problems.

When condensation occurs in roof spaces or sub floor areas, timbers in those areas can become damp and susceptible to dry or wet rot.

WHAT CAUSES CONDENSATION?

Condensation is the most common cause of dampness in buildings and affects properties of all types and ages.

It arises due to poor ventilation and high levels of water vapour.

Often travelling through a building from a high water vapour area such as a bathroom to condense in the walls of a cold room such as a bedroom.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

Positive pressure units (PPU) eliminate moisture from the home by a constant circulation of gently pressurised, clean air.

They are suitable for installation in refurbishment or new build projects.

Installed either in the loft of a house or a hallway cupboard, they gently pressurise the property removing stale, humid air through the natural ventilation points present in buildings.

Need a Solution? Get in Touch

The most common symptom of dry rot, even without physically seeing the outbreak, are the presence of a damp, musty and fungal smell.

WHAT IS DRY ROT?

Dry rot describes a very specific and unique type of wood rot that is actually a wood destroying fungus that eats away the part of the wood that gives it strength and integrity.

Dry rot is a serious problem in the UK that can be devastating due to its ability to progress extensively throughout a property that if left untreated puts the structural integrity of your property at serious risk.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION

Get a specialist in to identify and fix the problem.

They will:

1. Remove Infected Wood and Plaster
2. Perform a Dry Rot Survey – Stop the Source of Moisture
3. Chemically Treat The Dry Rot
4. Replace Infected Timbers
5. Improve Underfloor Ventilation
6. Take Steps to Mitigate Against Reinfection

Need a Solution? Get in Touch

This type of rot is less easy to identify because it can be masked by painted wood. However, poking with a screw driver can normally reveal the affected area.

Wood will be soft and spongy and often looks darker than surrounding healthy wood and there may also be a damp musty smell.

WHAT IS WET ROT?

Wet rot like dry rot describes a wood destroying fungus that eats away at both soft and hard wood.

Unlike dry rot, wet rot is attracted only to damp wood, meaning it is confined to the area of damp wood or plaster. It is generally seen as being less destructive than dry rot however if left untreated can cause serious structural problems.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION

Get a specialist in to identify and fix the problem.

They will:

1. Perform a Wet Rot Survey
2. Repair the Source of Moisture
3. Remove Infected Wood and Plaster to prevent further spread
4. Chemically Treat The Wet Rot
5. Replace timbers and reinstate original plaster work
6. Take Steps to Mitigate Against Reinfection – Fungicidal treatment to create chemical barriers

Need a Solution? Get in Touch

You may not know you have a problem for many years but it is extremely important to get a specialist in to identify if you have a problem.

Identifying it yourself is difficult but there are some signs:

• Exit holes in timber – these can be round or oval shaped with sharp edges.
• Bore dust – caused by emerging adult beetles and usually visible below the infested timber.
• Crumbling wood – around corners or edges to roof joists or floorboards.
• Dead beetles -often found near the infested timber.
• Adult beetles – can see these emerging between May and October.
• Woodworm larvae – usually a creamy-white colour and curved.
• Weak and damaged floorboards – in worst cases a foot may actually go through the floor which highlights a serious problem.

WHAT IS WOOD-WORM?

Wood-worm are not actually worms but wood-boring beetles. There are many different species but they all eat wood and different species eat different types of wood (Soft to hard wood).

They can cause serious damage to your property because they weaken the timbers by leaving a network of hollow tunnels as they eat through the wood.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION

The most important part of treatment is the correct diagnosis of wood-worm because there are a number of types of woodworm.

Get a specialist in to identify and treat the problem.

We do the following:

1. Perform a Survey
2. Identify the best course of treatment
3. Apply a chemical treatment
4. Salvage or replace timbers if beyond saving

Need a Solution? Get in Touch