Wet rot whilst not as serious condition as with dry rot, it still can create damage to your property.
Wet rot is a generic term used to define a variety of wet rot species such as Coniophora puteana (otherwise known as cellar fungus).
Fungal organisms cause the decay of timber, attacking the wood in damp environments and causing considerable damage over time. Wet rot is an umbrella term for fungi such as Coniophora Puteana, Fibroporia Vaillanti and Phellinus Contiguus, which are all threats to timber. These fungi can crack the wood and through continued growth, worsen the situation.
The reason these types of fungi appear can be due to high moisture content being present around the wood from insufficient damp proofing methods. Things such as condensation and lateral damp can encourage these micro bodies to develop into large harmful groups of spores which can be hazardous to not only your property, but also your health.
Wet rot generally starts due to issues such as faulty plumbing or poor ventilation to the sub floor area (void beneath the ground floor timber floor). As the timber starts to absorb the moisture it allows fungal spores to start growing.
If left to grow, wet rot begins to remove the strength of any timber it is affecting, resulting in timbers becoming structurally unsound. It is for this reason it is always important to act when you see wet rot.
We can offer damp proofing solutions which will ensure that any wet rot problems are resolved, and moisture content in the timber reduces significantly. Our team can remove any weakened wood, and re-strengthen any areas that may have encountered rot damage. We will treat any of the wood we replace and any existing wood with a solution which protects it against future fungal infection.
Woodworm is a common term for various wood-boring insects that lay eggs in timber, and their larvae bore through the wood, creating a network of small tunnels that damage and weaken the structure. In the UK, there are four common types of woodworm:
All these insects invade and consume wood, leaving when they reach maturity.
Woodworm problems may not be clearly evident until damage becomes visible, so early identification is crucial before they cause further harm. If left untreated, the infestation can seriously weaken timber, leading to the structural failure of timbers.
Our team of specialist insect exterminators has the equipment and skills to completely rid your wood of any harmful pests. Our water-based treatment can be applied directly to the problem to eliminate the insects and provide a protective coating to prevent a reoccurrence of the issue. We also use "fogging," allowing termination to take place without the removal of carpets and floorboards, with the room ready for use in just 2 hours.
Structural wood can become weak and brittle which puts the safety of inhabitants at risk, as the timber could snap and the structure may completely collapse. Bore holes are visible on the surface of the wood, and traces of bore dust litter the area, making your building unclean and also unsafe.
Woodworm can burrow into your timber structures and begin to disintegrate your wood. This is the most common of damaging pests; it creates a habitat within the wood and lays eggs which produce larva that burrow through the timber for 2-4 years.
Holes in the timber, bore dust, exposed tunneling in severe cases, and fungal decay can lead to structural damage in the building. This pest renders your wooden structures vulnerable to weakness and potential collapse.
The death watch beetle poses a significant threat once established inside wood. It commonly inhabits hardwood, with oak being particularly susceptible to attack. Its name is derived from its preference for old wooden beams in churches and the tapping noise it makes as a mating signal.
Holes and grooves on the timber's surface, along with the presence of fungal decay, can weaken the internal structure of the wood, making it susceptible to collapse when subjected to pressure or force.
The house longhorn beetle, the wood boring weevil and the lyctus powderpost are other wood pests that pose major risks to any piece of wood within your building. If the insect becomes established in the material, it needs to be completely eradicated as soon as the problem is discovered to prevent any further damage.
Cavity wall ties play a crucial role in connecting the visible protective outer cavity of brickwork or blockwork to the structural and load-bearing inner masonry skin of a building.
The primary cause of cavity wall tie failure is often age. Over time, the mortar bed between bricks or blocks undergoes chemical changes due to carbonation, leading to the mortar attacking the wall ties and resulting in a buildup of iron oxide, commonly known as rust. As each tie oxidises, layers of rust form and expand outward, pushing apart the mortar beds and causing visible cracks.
Cavity wall tie issues contribute to various internal and external wall faults, including:
The primary culprits behind these internal and external wall issues are the mild steel ties, prevalent in many houses built pre-1981. These ties are prone to intense corrosion, eventually leading to failure. Whether the failure is currently present in your walls or a looming issue, action may be necessary to prevent further damage to your cavity walls.
Faulty wall ties can result in horizontal cracks, bulges in your brickwork, and even the complete collapse of your outer cavity wall.
If you suspect wall tie failure in your property, consider arranging a survey. We will visit the property to inspect the condition of the wall ties.
After locating the tie, we assess its corrosion status and determine whether isolation or removal is necessary. Subsequently, new wall ties are installed, utilizing either mechanical or resin installation methods.
At Cannon Contractors, our team of cavity wall specialists employs a metal detector to precisely locate each cavity wall tie. Following identification, we use an endoscope for a thorough examination, and if further scrutiny is required, a single brick may be extracted for closer inspection. Our range includes stainless steel wall tie options with corrosion-resistant properties, ensuring prolonged service life. Depending on the masonry condition, ties are fitted using mechanical or resin-based methods.
Buildings can deteriorate over time due to various factors such as weathering, subsidence, and construction work. This may necessitate stabilising the masonry to prevent further damage, ensuring the building remains safe.
Horizontal cracks or step cracks are common types of masonry repairs. Potential triggers for cracks include:
Before undertaking a crack repair, the cause of the fracture must be identified and eliminated. Crack repair strategies generally fall into two categories:
Sub-structure repairs often involve underpinning or piling, while superstructure reinforcement includes structural repairs using helical bars for retrofitted brick beams or crack stitching. Replacement wall ties and restraints secure cavity or separating façade walls, and resin injection systems efficiently fill and seal cracks in walls.
We conduct a structural survey to determine the cause of the defect, which guides the appropriate repair work. Structural calculations are made to identify the correct material type to use.
At Cannon Contractors, we specialise in masonry stabilisation and building maintenance. Our team of building work specialists can repair various external building damages using our high-quality Helical Systems masonry reinforcement products. These products ensure convenient stabilisation work at affordable prices.
The majority of homes in the UK share a common bond: mortar. Bricks, stone blocks, and other masonry units are typically laid in a bed of mortar, which serves to fill the gaps and protect the structure from water penetration.
As the structure ages, weathering causes it to soften and become absorbent, allowing water entry, a phenomenon we refer to as weathering.
Repointing involves renewing the "pointing," the external part of mortar joints in masonry construction. Over time, weathering and decay create voids in the joints between masonry units, typically in bricks, enabling water infiltration. Water entering through these voids can lead to significant damage from frost weathering and salt dissolution and deposition.
During repointing, the mortar is raked out using grinders, hand tools, and power tools, and the area is then cleaned for the installation of new mortar. Various pointing styles, such as weather pointing and bucket handle, can be applied.
Upon completing the repointing process, we often recommend treating the masonry with a waterproof cream.
