Woodworm & Timber Rot

Woodworm

The term ‘woodworm’ refers to two beetle species that are found in the UK; namely the Common Furniture Beetle and the Death Watch Beetle, both of these insect species bore holes in wood and lay their eggs. When the larvae hatches, they consume wood pulp until they become adults and the cycle is repeated; if not addressed, woodworm will cause serious damage to a London property and the problem will eventually spread throughout the building.

Signs of Woodworm Infestation

The tell-tale signs of woodworm include the following:

• Tiny holes in wood – The beetle burrows small holes in the wood in order to deposit eggs; another sign is small mounds of wood dust next to the holes. If you notice this, it is time to call in the professionals who have the know-how and the equipment to eradicate woodworm from your home.
• Adult beetles – A dark grey in colour, adult beetles might be seen around timber, which is a sure sign that woodworm are, in fact, present in your home.
• Small white eggs – These might be clustered around small holes around window and door frames or on the floor below timber sections.
• Crumbling edges – Woodworm typically affects the edges of timber lengths, which become cracked and brittle.
• Small pieces of wood on the floor – Shards of timber can break off and drop to the floor.

If you notice any of the above signs, it is time to call London Damp Specialists on 020 8945 5547  or fill in the form on this website and we can arrange for one of our fully qualified damp surveyors can inspect your London home.

How London Damp Specialists Source Woodworm

We have more than 40 years of hands-on experience identifying woodworm, and we use state-of-the-art equipment to accurately assess whether woodworm is present in your London home.

Woodworm can be very destructive, which is why you need a definitive survey to determine if woodworm exists in your London property.

Wet & Dry Rot

These are destructive fungi that can impact the wood in your London home and wet rot demands a different treatment than dry rot. If you suspect that there is wet or dry rot in your home, don’t delay, call in London Damp Specialists for a definitive inspection from the foundations to the roof and everything in between. If we do find timber rot, we can recommend an established contractor to carry out remedial work.

Tell-Tale Signs of Wet & Dry Rot

Signs of wet & dry rot include the following:

• Strange odour – A musty smell in the house
• A soft and spongy feel to the wood
• Cracking wood
• Different appearance – Affected timber is often darker.
• Fungal growth – Creamy or brown in colour, which is sometimes accompanied by a fluffy growth.
• Brittle and dry wood – Dry rot causes the wood to become brittle and cracked edges are also apparent.

Damp conditions are ideal for wet and dry rot and if not dealt with, this can cause serious damage to a building.

If you are planning to invest in a London property, you should book our pre-purchase damp survey and one of our PCA-certified damp surveyors can inspect the property, looking for any signs of damp, mould and timber rot. Such a big investment demands that you do your due diligence and ensure that the building is in good condition and free from any moisture issues.

If you are already a homeowner in London and you can’t recall the last time you inspected the building for damp and timber rot, now is the perfect time to contact London Damp Specialists and book a professional damp survey from an accredited surveyor.
Many London homeowners ensure their property is free from damp issues by having the building inspected every 6 months and should there be any issues, the remedial work is minimal.

If you are at all concerned that your home might be under attack by wet or dry rot, don’t delay, call us on 020 8945 5547 and arrange for one of our PCA-certified damp surveyors to carry out a thorough inspection and you will receive a detailed report in your inbox the following day.