Dry rot treatment in Exeter
Professional dry rot treatment services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote needed
Typical Duration
1-3 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Dry rot identification, treatment and timber repair. I remove infected wood, treat the area properly, and fix the moisture problem that caused it.
The Wood-Eating Fungus Nobody Wants
Dry rot is serious. It's a fungus (Serpula lacrymans if you're interested) that eats timber and can spread through walls to attack wood elsewhere in your house.
The scary bit? By the time you see it, it's usually been growing hidden for months or years. The mushroom-like fruiting bodies you spot are just the tip of the iceberg.
💡 Pro tip: Despite the name, dry rot needs moisture to start - usually around 20% wood moisture content. Once established it can spread to drier areas. That's why fixing the leak or damp problem is as important as treating the rot itself.
Dry Rot vs Wet Rot - What's The Difference?
| Feature | Dry Rot | Wet Rot |
|---|---|---|
| Smell | Musty mushroom odor | Damp earthy smell |
| Appearance | White/grey fluffy growth | Dark brown soft wood |
| Timber cracking | Deep cube cracks | Surface splitting |
| Spreads through | Masonry and walls | Just the wet wood |
| Treatment | Remove + 500mm, treat walls | Remove affected wood |
| Seriousness | Very serious | Serious but contained |
What Treatment Actually Involves
🔧 The Proper Process
| Stage | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Survey | Lift floors, check extent | Need to find all of it |
| Remove | Cut out infected timber + 500mm | Kill the fungus completely |
| Treat | Fungicide on masonry/timber | Stop it re-establishing |
| Ventilate | Improve airflow | Remove moisture |
| Fix source | Repair leak/damp | Stop it coming back |
| Replace | New treated timber | Structural repair |
📦 You're Left With
- All infected timber removed
- Treated surrounding structure
- Moisture problem fixed
- Sound replacement timbers
- Hopefully dry rot gone for good
Honest Talk About Costs
This is impossible to price without a survey. Variables:
| If The Rot Has... | Likely Cost Range |
|---|---|
| One joist end, small area | £500-£1000 |
| Multiple joists, floor area | £1500-£3000 |
| Spread extensively through house | £5000+ (specialist needed) |
Based on labour + materials + treatment. Big jobs need specialist companies with guarantees.
When You Need A Specialist Instead
I'm honest about this. I can treat small localized dry rot, but:
❌ If it's spread through multiple rooms → Specialist
❌ If structural timbers heavily affected → Specialist
❌ If you're selling the house and need guaranteed treatment → Specialist
❌ If it's in hard-to-access areas → Specialist
✅ Small outbreak, single area, I can see the extent → I can help
Why specialists? They offer 20-30 year guarantees that transfer to buyers. For resale that's valuable.
Why Choose Us for Dry rot treatment in Exeter?
Stop rot spreading to good timber
Remove and replace infected wood
Treat surrounding areas properly
Fix the moisture source causing it
What to Expect
Step 1: Survey and Assessment
I need to see the full extent. This means lifting floorboards, checking adjoining rooms, looking in roof spaces. Can't quote without knowing how far it's spread.
Step 2: Honest Quote
Based on what I find, I'll either quote to treat it or recommend a specialist. Won't take your money if I think you need someone else.
Step 3: Treatment Work (If Suitable)
Remove all infected timber plus safety margin. Treat surrounding masonry and timber with fungicide. Fix the leak/damp problem. Install replacement timbers. Improve ventilation.
🔧 DIY Tips
Don't DIY dry rot treatment. Seriously.
Here's why:
❌ You can't see the full extent without experience
❌ Under-treatment means it comes back worse
❌ The fungus produces millions of spores - you need proper PPE
❌ Structural timber removal needs supporting properly
❌ Treatment chemicals need correct handling
❌ You'll miss the moisture source and it'll just restart
Do yourself a favor: Get it professionally surveyed and treated. This isn't the job to save money on.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ Selling your house? Dry rot will show up on a survey and kill your sale. Get it treated professionally with a transferable guarantee. Makes a huge difference to buyers.
Insurance claim? Some home insurance covers sudden damage from leaks that caused rot. Worth checking your policy before you pay for treatment.
Prevention is everything: Fix leaks quickly, ventilate underfloor spaces, keep air bricks clear. Dry rot can't start in dry, well-ventilated timber.
Exeter older houses: Victorian and Edwardian properties are particularly prone - solid floors were rare, suspended timber floors with poor ventilation are common. Regular underfloor checks are worth doing.
That mushroom smell: Once you've smelled dry rot you never forget it. If your house smells musty and mushroomy, especially under floors or in cupboards, get it checked. The smell is the fungus literally digesting your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's dry rot or wet rot?
Dry rot has a distinctive musty mushroom smell and often shows fluffy white mycelium (like cotton wool) on the wood. The timber goes dark brown and cracks in cubes. Wet rot just makes wood soft and darker. Both need fixing, but dry rot is more serious because it spreads through masonry.
Can you just treat it with chemicals?
No - with dry rot you have to cut out all infected timber plus at least 300-500mm beyond the visible damage. Then treat the surrounding wood and masonry. Just spraying chemicals on visible rot doesn't work - the fungus will be growing in places you can't see.
What causes dry rot and will it come back?
It needs moisture (despite the name). Usually caused by leaks, poor ventilation, or rising damp. If we don't fix the moisture source, yes it'll come back. Part of the job is working out why the timber got wet and sorting that too.
How much will this cost?
Impossible to say without seeing it. Could be £500 for a small localized patch, could be £5000+ if it's spread extensively. I need to survey it properly - lift floorboards, check joists, see how far it's gone. Then give you an honest quote.
Do I need a specialist or can you do it?
I can treat smaller outbreaks - remove timber, treat masonry, repair and ventilate. For extensive dry rot I'll be honest and tell you to get a specialist timber treatment company. They have guarantees and insurance that matter for resale.
Dry rot treatment Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your dry rot treatment job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Dry rot treatment in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your dry rot treatment job in Exeter today.