A Guide to Identifying and

Preventing Condensation, Damp,

Wet Rot, Dry Rot and Woodworm
Useful information for home owners

service and people first

 If you are concerned that water or dampness is entering your home it is
important to contact a trained and competent specialist who can carry out
all the necessary diagnostic investigations.

Condensation How To Prevent Condensation

Condensation is the most common form If you find water on the inside of your
of unwanted dampness in buildings and windows, on cold walls and surfaces, in
occurs when warm moist air comes into cold rooms or near windows it is likely to
contact with a cold surface. In just one be condensation. You may also find black
day, the average family makes about 15 mould on the walls or blue/green mould
pints of water vapour. This vapour stays in on leather or wood. Mould is usually
the air in warm rooms but turns back into found in cold corners, cupboards or on
water when it touches cold surfaces such external walls inside the property.
as a wall, window or ceiling. The four main In most cases condensation can be
causes of condensation are: prevented by opening a window and
making sure that all rooms within the
Lack of heat home are heated adequately.
Lack of insulation
Lack of ventilation
Moisture production

Problems Caused By Condensation

The most common indication of a

condensation problem is water running
down windows and walls. If ignored this
can lead to water collecting on the
window sills, decay in window frames,
stained curtains and black mould growing
on walls and woodwork.
Do If there is any condensation build-up
within the property, clean the affected
Keep your property well ventilated area with a fungicidal wash and
-especially when washing and drying redecorate using a fungicidal paint. Mould
clothes. If you have a tumble dryer, growth on furnishings and carpets can be
make sure the vent pipe runs outside cleaned, where possible, by vacuuming
or out a window and shampooing the affected areas.
Open the kitchen window, close However, be aware that disturbing mould
internal doors and use lids on boiling by brushing or vacuum cleaning can
pans when cooking. Use an extractor increase the risk of respiratory problems.
fan if you have one
Keep bathroom windows open and the Damp
door shut when taking a bath or
shower, and for a short time Damp is caused by water getting into your
afterwards. Run a little cold water into home from above (because of a leaky
the bath or basin before the hot water roof, for example) or rising up from the
is turned on to reduce the amount of ground through the floors or walls. Damp
steam produced from above can be caused by water
Provide continuous slight ventilation by overflowing from blocked gutters,
keeping window vents open at all times damaged flashing (this is the covering for
Make sure that your roof space is the joints where a roof and wall meet),
properly ventilated. cracked roof slates or severe weather.
Stop warm air hitting the windows by Damp rising from the ground can be
hanging heavy close fitting curtains caused by soil piled up next to walls, hard
Put wardrobes and furniture against surfaces like paths draining towards the
inside/internal walls. If you put them house, leaks from plumbing and heating
against outside walls, make sure there systems, blocked drains or a damaged
is a small gap between the wall and damp proof course (DPC). Dampness
furniture for the air to circulate around the skirting boards can often be a
Improve the insulation of your home sign that there is a problem with your DPC
and if so, your DPC will need to be
Dont re-done.

Dry clothes on radiators, portable

bottled gas or paraffin heaters
Block up a fire place without fitting an
air vent to the chimney flue
Ignore any leaks - theyll only get worse
and cost more to repair
Put too many clothes in a wardrobe as
this stops the air from circulating
Do not use unventilated airing
cupboards for clothes - drying this way
will encourage moisture build up
How To Prevent Damp

Do Dont Ignore

Repair or replace a damaged or missing Blocked or missing air bricks

DPC Outside paintwork that is damaged or
Clear soil away from the walls of your unpainted
house Rotten or leaking windowsills
Repair damaged gutters, down pipes, Blocked or broken guttering
over flows and flashing Missing, broken, displaced or loose
Check the rendering to see if its tiles or slates
cracked, plus look at re-sealing any Defective surfacing to valley gutters
gaps around window frames and flat roofs
Clean out air bricks at least once a year Old chimneys falling apart
- its important to keep the holes in Damaged flashing around chimneys
them and windows
Slope paths and hard surfaces away
from the house, and drain surface
water into a drain or sewer
Make sure there are no cold corners or
cold cupboards in the house
Fit extractor fans in your kitchen and
bathroom
Getting these problems fixed now will
save you money in the long run. If damp Any defect that allows moisture
is spotted quickly and treated it will into a building must be remedied or
usually only cause staining to your treated, further entry of water
decoration. If damp is not treated must be prevented, and the area
straight away it can lead to more serious affected by water dried out. If you
problems such as wet or dry rot. Treating are concerned that water ingress
these problems can be expensive and may has taken place it is important to
involve major disruption such as the engage the services of a trained
replacement of joists, floorboards, and competent specialist who can
skirting and plaster. conduct all the necessary
diagnostic investigations.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between dampness and condensation
the table below might help you identify the problem.

Condensation Damp
What are the Water droplets or water film on Stain marks, paper peeling
telltale signs? non-absorbent surfaces. Black away, paint bubbling, plaster
mould growth spots or rotting crumbling or white tide marks
of material occurs. on the walls. Also a damp,
musty smell if the problem is
inside.
Where will I find it? Inside your home on non- Inside or outside your home
absorbent surfaces such as on brickwork, walls, floors,
windows, walls, timber or tiles. ceilings, or around the skirting
Also, in cupboards or behind on ground floors.
large items of furniture placed
against outside walls (maybe
seen as black or grey powdery
mould).
When is it worst? Usually damp weather Usually wet weather

Dry Rot

Dry rot is the most serious form of timber unventilated conditions and can occur in
decay in a building and requires over 20% the areas of a property that are not often
moisture level for spore germination. It is seen, so damage may be extensive before
a fungus that destroys wood and the attack is discovered.
eventually reduces timber to a dry
crumbly consistency. It thrives in moist
How To Identify Dry Rot Dry Rot Prevention

Dry rot has a distinct mushroom smell It is vital to locate and eliminate the
and extensive fungal growth. Initially the underlying source of moisture responsible
fungus appears as off-white felt-like or for the Dry Rot. Roofing failures and
cotton-wool like sheets on brickwork and leaking gutters are particularly damaging
timber, and, in later stages, can develop and allow water to spread over large
fungal strands as thick as your finger. areas before being discovered.
Where the fungus is exposed to light, it
often has a lemon-yellowish tinge. Dry Rot Treatment
Damage is often confined to timber but Dry rot is a serious problem and requires
large flat mushroom-like fruiting bodies specialist treatment by a qualified
can easily grow through finishes such as professional. Dry rot surveying may
brickwork, plaster or paint. These fruiting require exposure work before the
bodies produce numerous spores which complete extent of the outbreak can be
are deposited as a layer of brick red dust determined.
and may be the first indication of a
problem. Wet Rot
Timber affected by dry rot is brown, dry If wood gets wet and dries out often it can
and brittle with distinct cracks which form soften and rot. This is known as wet rot
small cubes and can be easily crumbled by and can cause severe damage within your
hand. property and is a common cause of
structural defects. In order to grow, wet
What Are The Risks Of Dry Rot? rot requires a moisture content of 50 to
60% which can result from sources of
Dry rot can pose many risks to your defective plumbing, gutters, downpipes
building: or stone pointing, but it does not spread
through masonry and growth ceases
It does not need significant dampness when the moisture is removed.
to grow (unlike Wet Rot)
Grows rapidly through a building and is
difficult to control
Can spread behind plaster and through
walls into neighbouring properties
Compromises the structural integrity of
a building
If left untreated, it could lead to the
collapse of the building
How To Identify Wet Rot Wet Rot Prevention

There is almost always a structural defect Ensure that all external timber frames
causing the problem, it may be that the are adequately painted to protect the
wall adjacent to the timber is suffering timber from frontal ingress of water.
from damp, or water collecting on the Be aware of any damp walls and
timber. Wet rot causes distortion, address the problem, it could be a
discolouration, softness, cracking and the missing or damaged DPC a bridged DPC
loss of strength to the timber. Sometimes or a bridged cavity.
there is a damp musty smell and in some Make sure that any soil and other
instances there may be visible fungal debris is cleared away from around the
growth which is largely black and usually bottom of timber frames and air bricks.
localised. Check the roof space for the ingress of
water, you may see daylight through a
Where there is no obvious fungus hole in the roof, the water could be
present, check vulnerable areas of timber running down the underfelt behind the
such as window and door frames for signs tiles onto timber some distance away
of rot. The problem may be a damaged from the hole. When it is raining, go
paint finish on the timber allowing the into the roof with a torch, the shining
wood to absorb moisture. However, even of water on timber or felt normally
if the paint looks sound, the timber stands out very easily.
underneath may be rotting from the back. Favoured places for wet rot are areas
If you push a thin bladed knife into where a small leak from either a water
painted timber frames, the blade should supply or drain could go unnoticed for
stop after a very short distance. If it goes a long time but where timber could
in up to the handle, rot may be present become saturated with water e.g.
behind the paint. under the kitchen sink, bath, shower,
washing basins, toilet and behind the
Timber suffering from wet rot will feel washing machine etc.
spongy (even through a coat of paint) and
look darker than the surrounding timber. Wet Rot Treatment
When dry, the timber will easily crack and
crumble into fine particles. Timber in the Wet rot is a serious problem and requires
roof can also be at risk especially where specialist treatment by a qualified
there is roof damage allowing rainwater professional. It is essential to treat any
to run onto the roof timbers. underlying structural problem as there is
no point in repairing the damage to the
timber if it is going to reappear.
Wet rot treatment can usually be carried Wood Boring Insects
out by removing the moisture source and
drying out the surrounding fabric thus Woodworm is a common term for various
preventing further spread. Where any wood boring insects that attack both
affected timber has lost its strength, it hardwoods and softwoods within the
must be removed and replaced with new structure of a building and furniture. It is
timber treated against the potential a common misconception that
germination of wet rot spores to ensure woodworm only affects old properties,
the structural integrity of the building. when in fact it can also cause damage to
After repair, external timbers should be new buildings. It is almost impossible to
protected with adequate coats of paint or prevent woodworm getting into your
some other suitable timber treatment or home, so it is important to check regularly
preservative. for signs of woodworm in furniture, roof
timbers, floorboards and skirtings.
Structural Repairs
How To Identify Woodworm
Structural repairs are usually required
following environmental change such as Wood-boring insects use wood as a food
subsidence or perhaps regular flooding source or home and often leave signs of
where masonry has cracked and failed as their presence such as:
a result of ground movement, weathering
or increasing loads. This is turn leads to Tunnels or holes in your woodwork
instability in the building, which leads to (similar to the holes in a dart board).
foundation problems and walls moving Fine, powdery dust around these holes.
out of position or cracking. The longer the Crumbly edges to boards and joists.
structural repair is needed, the larger the Adult beetles emerging from the holes
risk to you and your property. or present around the house.
Even if you cant see any holes, you
Structural repairs should always be might find bore dust on the back or
specified and supervised by a trained and underside of old furniture.
competent structural engineer and any Weak and damaged flooring - in
installations must be undertaken by an extreme cases a foot or chair leg going
experienced specialist contractor. The through the floor can indicate a more
repair techniques that can be adopted serious problem.
may include the use of:

Structural wall ties and restraints

Embedded wall stitching
Strapping
Structural Pinning
Resin bonding or resin beam repairs
If you suspect you have woodworm in
your property, and are not sure if the
attack is active, place a sheet of white
paper on the floor beneath the suspect
timber. Regularly check the paper for any
bore-dust or dead adult beetles that may
have fallen from the holes. Keep anything
you collect and contact a qualified
specialist to arrange an inspection.

How to Treat Woodworm

Affected areas must be treated as soon as

you notice them. Without treatment,
woodworm can cause significant damage
to the structure of a property and
depending on the level of woodworm
infestation it can result in a property
becoming structurally unsound. All
methods of treatment are highly
specialised and should only be
undertaken by people who are trained
and competent. In preparation for the
application of preservatives the timbers
should be cleaned down to remove any
excessive dust and debris.

Hiring a Contractor
PLEASE NOTE NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL DOES NOT RECOMMEND
ANY TRADESPERSONS OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Do The Property Care Association (PCA)

provides an online directory of
Ask for references, quality specialist contractors in the structural
tradesperson or professionals will be waterproofing, wood preservation,
happy to supply details of happy damp proofing and structural
customers. maintenance industries.
Make sure that the tradesperson or Tel: 0844 375 4301
professional is a member of a reputable Email: [email protected]
trade association. www.property-care.org
Obtain quotations from at least 3
different contractors. The National Federation of Roofing
Ask for a warranty or guarantee on the Contractors provides an online
work and materials supplied and ensure directory of roofing contractors.
you obtain any necessary certificates. Tel: 020 7638 7663
Make sure you receive an invoice and a www.nfrc.co.uk
receipt for any work.
Federation of Master Builders provides
Dont an online directory of building firms.
Tel: 020 7025 2900
Trust companies when their literature www.fmb.org.uk/welcome
does not contain an address.
Employ anyone you do not trust. Care and Repair offer independent
Pay cash upfront or before you are fully advice and assistance to help elderly
satisfied with the works and disabled homeowners repair,
improve or adapt their homes so that
they can live in comfort and safety in
Further Information their own community.
Tel: 0800 048 2882
Local contractors are listed in directories
www.northlan.care-and-repair.org
including Yellow Pages www.yell.com and
Thomson Local www.thomsonlocal.com.
Window Advice Centre provides
Alternatively, you can contact the
impartial advice and can assist
following organisations, many of whom
homeowners to obtain quotations.
provide online search facilities to find local
Tel: 0141 332 7878
contractors:
www.windowadvicecentre.co.uk
 Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Planning Permission & Building
Employers Federation (SNIPEF) Warrants
provides an online directory of licensed
plumbers. North Lanarkshire Council
Tel: 0131 556 0600 Regeneration and Environmental
www.needaplumber.org Services provide information and
advice on planning including applying
Home Energy Scotland provides for planning permission.
information on all Energy Efficiency Tel: 01236 632500
measures including any financial www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk
assistance which may be available.
Tel: 0808 808 2282 North Lanarkshire Council Building
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ Standards Operations provide
domestic/home-energy-scotland information and advice on building
standards including applying for a
Hiring an Architect, Surveyor or building warrant.
Engineer Tel: 01698 812440
www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk
Royal Incorporation of Architects in
Scotland (RIAS) provides an online
directory of Architects in Scotland.
Tel: 0131 229 7545
www.rias.org.uk

Royal Institution of Chartered

Surveyors (RICS) provides an online
directory of Chartered Surveyors.
Tel: 0131 225 7078
www.rics.org

Find an Engineer provides an online

directory of Structural Engineers.
Tel: 020 7235 4535
www.findanengineer.com
Contact Us

We have a range of leaflets on different topics available on request. If you would like
further information on the types of assistance available to homeowners please contact:

North Lanarkshire Council

Housing and Social Work Services
Private Sector Section
4th Floor Dalziel Building
7 Scott Street
Motherwell, ML1 1SX

Tel: 01698 274179

Email: [email protected]
www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schemeofassistance

This information can be made available in a range of languages and formats, including
large print, braille, audio, electronic and accessible formats.
MANDARIN

polish

URDU