Need Timber Repairs? Contact Remedial Building Service Professionals

Posted by Programmed Gold Coast on February 16th, 2021

Remedial repairs is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of maintenance services that act to prevent structural damage to a property. Such services can include concrete repairs, rendering repairs, facade upgrades, waterproofing and the application of specialist protective coatings.

Timber repairs are another essential remedial building service provided by maintenance professionals and it is vital that all property managers are aware of the maintenance responsibilities associated with timber buildings.

What causes timber damage?
Timber is a very popular building material, due to its insulating properties and non-toxic, renewable nature. It is often used for floorboards, doors, window frames and other structural elements. Timber damage is therefore a significant concern for many property managers and maintenance workers, and has the potential to significantly impact the appearance, safety and value of a building.

There are two main types of timber damage — dry rot and wet rot.

Dry rot
Dry rot is a type of timber decay caused by a wood-eating fungus. The fungus targets cellulose and hemicellulose, which are the components that give wood its structure. The warning signs of dry rot include:

● Sunken or shrunken surfaces
● Darkened, cracked structures
● A flat, silver growth across surfaces, that has the appearance of mushroom skin and can be easily peeled off.

Wet rot
As the name suggests, wet timber rot occurs due to excessive exposure to moist environments. Wet rot is also caused by a particular type of wood-eating fungus, however it requires a moisture content of at least 50 percent to germinate (unlike dry rot, which spreads more readily). Wet rot tends to be more easily identified than its dry counterpart as it usually sprouts in open locations, close to burst water pipes or damaged gutters.

The warning signs of wet rot include:

● A musty smell
● Discoloured, distorted and soft timber
● Fungal growth.

What are the dangers of timber damage?
Timber damage, whether caused by dry or wet rot, can pose a serious threat to a building’s structural stability as well as having considerable impact on the overall appearance of a property.

Dry rot is particularly dangerous as it tends to easily spread throughout a building and may go underdetected for a long period of time, leading to costly repairs and potentially dangerous living conditions for tenants, clients and customers.

Timber damage can also significantly affect property value and can make it near impossible to rent or sell a building.

How can remedial building experts help?
Professionals who provide remedial services are trained to spot the warning signs of timber damage, long before they may become apparent to the untrained eye.

Treating timber damage caused by rot can be a lengthy process, and usually involves conducting extensive cleaning and wide-spread repairs on a property. It is important that the source of damage is identified and attended to in order to prevent future outbreaks from occurring.

If you believe your property is suffering from timber damage, contact maintenance experts trained in remedial building services today. Timber rot can be a complex and costly problem to fix, but not if you get on top of the issue as soon as possible.