Dry rot is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. It’s capable of eating its way through the woodworm in your home, causing serious damage if not addressed.

While most people know how destructive dry rot can be, many aren’t as familiar with the steps needed to get rid of it. The truth is, dry rot isn’t a simple fix – even in minor cases – and there are several reasons for that.

At Prokil, we’ve spent decades helping homeowners tackle dry rot, so we know exactly what it takes to get rid of it effectively. Read on to find out why dry rot is so hard to remove, why it’s important to call on a professional, and what steps are needed to resolve it for good!

What is dry rot?

Dry rot is a type of fungal decay that attacks timber, feeding on the moisture in the wood and breaking it down over time. Contrary to its name, dry rot thrives in damp, poorly ventilated environments, often hidden behind walls or beneath floors. Its stealthy nature means it can go unnoticed until the damage becomes severe.

Why is fixing dry rot challenging?

Dry rot is notoriously difficult to deal with for several reasons, all interconnected:

1. Extensive damage

By the time you notice dry rot, the damage is often already severe. That’s because it typically starts hidden on one side of the wood and spreads to the visible side over time. If it’s not addressed, it can weaken beams, joists, and other wooden structures, eventually leading to expensive repairs or replacements.

2. Hidden spread

A particularly tricky aspect of dry rot is its ability to spread beyond wood. The fungal strands, or mycelium, can move through materials like masonry and plaster in search of more timber to infect. Even after visible signs are addressed, hidden fungal growth can persist and resurface later. Fully eradicating dry rot requires thorough detection and treatment, often with the help of specialised tools and expertise.

3. Specialised treatment

Addressing dry rot isn’t as simple as repairing visible damage. To prevent it from returning, you need to tackle the root causes – like poor ventilation, high humidity, or inadequate damp-proofing. Effective treatment involves applying professional-grade fungicides, removing compromised timber, and sometimes reinforcing or replacing structural elements. These steps demand expertise and careful planning to ensure long-term success.

Why professional help is essential

Fixing dry rot is rarely a task suited for DIY attempts. Without the proper expertise, tools, and materials, tackling it yourself can lead to several unintended consequences:

1. Missed spores

Dry rot fungi often penetrate deep into the wood, spreading their spores beyond what’s visible. DIY efforts that focus only on surface cleaning or repair often fail to address these hidden spores, allowing the rot to regenerate. This can result in further damage, sometimes even spreading to nearby areas, creating a recurring cycle of decay.

2. Incomplete solutions

If you want to eliminate dry rot permanently, you need to do more than repair visible damage – you also need to identify and address the root causes, such as excess moisture, poor ventilation, or structural issues. DIY fixes often neglect these underlying problems, leaving the area vulnerable to reinfestation as the conditions for fungal growth remain unchecked.

3. Increased costs

Although DIY repairs may seem like a cheaper option upfront, they often lead to higher expenses in the long run. If dry rot isn’t properly eradicated, it can spread, worsening the damage and affecting more of the structure. Failed treatments, further wood deterioration, and the eventual need for professional help to correct DIY mistakes can escalate costs. What might have been a minor repair can easily turn into a major restoration project.

How is dry rot treated?

Treating dry rot effectively involves a few key steps to resolve the issue now and prevent it from coming back later. Here’s how it’s done:

1. A professional surveyor will take a close look at the affected area to understand the extent of the damage. They’ll identify all impacted timber and check if the rot has spread to nearby materials like plaster or masonry.
2. Once the dry rot is mapped out, all damaged materials need to be carefully removed. This includes cutting out affected timber and safely disposing of any infected debris.
3. If the rot has caused structural issues, repairs will be necessary. This might mean replacing large sections of wood, reinforcing joists, or rebuilding parts of the structure.
4. To stop the rot in its tracks, specialist fungicides are applied to nearby surfaces. This helps eliminate lingering spores and reduces the risk of the problem returning.
5. Since dry rot thrives in damp conditions, it’s essential to tackle the underlying cause. This might involve fixing leaks, improving ventilation, or adding damp proofing. Professional wood preservation services can also protect your timber for the long run.

Trust Prokil for expert dry rot treatment

With over 50 years of experience, Prokil is the trusted choice for dry rot removal and wood preservation across the South, including London, Surrey, Dorset, and further afield.

Our specialists will carefully assess your dry rot situation and create a plan to fix it – whether it’s removing active infestations, preserving as much timber as possible, applying protective treatments, or repairing damaged wood. We also offer solutions like ventilation and damp proofing to help prevent problems down the line.

Don’t let dry rot put your home or business at risk. Book a survey online or give us a call on 0800 048 9488, and take the first step toward protecting your property today.