Dry Rot Survey

Fungal Timber Decay Inspection & Treatment

 

 

Dry Rot (Serpula lacrymans) fungus has occupied a specialised ecological niche in buildings in Europe with its unique biology, and is only known to occur in the wild in the Himalayas, where it was discovered by EBS founder Director Dr Singh.

 

Please click on the links below for more information.

http://www.ebssurvey.co.uk/docs/Search%20for%20Dry%20Rot%20Fungus%20in%20the%20Himalayas,%20May%2009.pdf

http://www.ebssurvey.co.uk/docs/Dry%20Rot%20and%20other%20wood%20destroying%20fungi.pdf

 

The ravages of the dry rot fungus are familiar, as is the destruction caused by attempts to survey dry rot in buildings by destructive methods and eradicate it particularly involving the use of chemicals. Remedial chemical timber treatment can cause damage to the health of building occupants and is a cause of concern to environmental health authorities.

 

It is the lack of understanding of the biology and ecology of the dry rot fungus that has led to this radical treatment and hence considerable damage to building fabric.

 

Not only the fear of dormancy of dry rot and the dramatic decay of timber, but it is also able to spread through a building from one timber location to another across non-nutritional surfaces has led to irrigation of walls with chemicals.

 

EBS employs mycologists (study and science of fungi) and wood scientists (study and science of wood) and use state of the art non-destructive and minimally invasive dry rot survey techniques, including the use of a Resistograph to analyse timber decay, fibre optics and electronic precision instruments and environmental monitoring techniques.

 

EBS dry rot surveys are non-destructive and our recommendations do not require the use of any remedial chemical treatments, therefore EBS can save you a significant amount of money on remedial works.

 

 

Independent Dry Rot Survey & Advice

 

EBS are independent specialists with more than 30 years of experience in carrying out dry rot surveys and timber decay surveys in buildings and providing chemical free solutions.

 

Correct and early diagnosis of dry rot in buildings is essential if a later widespread outbreak is to be avoided and proper repair is to be achieved.

 

Dry rot and wet rots requires high moisture levels in order to thrive and propagate and prefer areas where there is poor ventilation and high humidity.  

 

Moisture is essential for dry rot and wet rot fungi to thrive in buildings.  Therefore EBS philosophy is by controlling the moisture and humidity we are able to control and eradicate fungi in buildings.  Heating, ventilation, and good building maintenance will prevent fungal decay forming and can also be used for the control and eradication of existing decay.

 

EBS dry rot survey and timber decay survey reports contain detailed observations on the extent of dry rot and timber decay and detailed specifications to repair the damage caused by dry rot and other fungi ensuring reoccurrence is prevented.

 

EBS recommendations for environmental control and chemical free treatments following a dry rot survey and timber decay survey, are works that a competent builder or carpenter can carry out without the need for a specialist contractor.

 

Beware of remedial chemical treatments, which are in most circumstances not necessary, extremely expensive and usually involving extensive exposure work in order to apply the chemicals, which often leads to more damage than the dry rot outbreak. It may be ineffective in the long term if the root cause(s) is not addressed.

 

EBS dry rot survey and timber decay survey in historic buildings is essential to save original architectural treasures.

 

EBS environmental philosophy & non-destructive inspection, instrumentation and Resistograph technology together with chemical and pesticide free management of dry rot and decay have saved destruction to the historic fabric and successfully preserved the historic timbers in buildings such as Kings College Chapel, Cambridge, Christ Church Oxford, Canterbury Cathedral, Hampton Court palace, Windsor Castle, Dover Castle, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

 

EBS Ltd provides independent advice on decay in buildings and has no vested interests in selling chemical treatments or carrying out building work.