Dry rot treatment & eradication
Dry rot is the most serious form of timber decay — it spreads fast and won't stop on its own. We eradicate it at source and put it right, with a 30-year written guarantee.
What is dry rot?
Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) is a wood-destroying fungus that feeds on damp timber. It takes hold where wood has become and stayed wet — a leak, rising damp, penetrating damp or poor ventilation — and it's common in Glasgow's older tenements and traditional properties, where cellars, sub-floors and concealed timbers create exactly the still, humid conditions it likes.
What makes dry rot so serious is that, unlike wet rot, it doesn't stay put. Once established it spreads through timber and can travel across and even through masonry to reach new wood, carrying its own moisture with it. That's why painting over it or replacing a single board never works — if the whole outbreak and its moisture source aren't dealt with, it comes straight back.
The tell-tale signs of dry rot
If you notice any of these, it's worth getting it looked at quickly — dry rot only spreads.
Musty, damp smell
A persistent damp, mushroom-like odour, often in cellars, sub-floors or behind fitted units.
Cuboidal cracking
Timber that cracks across the grain into deep cube-like sections, then crumbles.
Cotton-wool mycelium
White, cotton-wool-like fungal growth, sometimes with greyish strands spreading outward.
Orange-red spore dust
A fine rust-coloured dust settling on surfaces around the affected area — spreading spores.
Dry, brittle timber
Wood that looks dry and darkened, feels light and brittle, and breaks apart easily.
Spreads through masonry
Unlike wet rot, it can travel through brick and plaster to reach fresh timber elsewhere.
Dealing with dry rot, properly
The same straightforward process we use on every job — written specifically for a dry rot outbreak.
Free Survey
We trace the full extent of the outbreak — including hidden timber and behind plaster — and find the moisture source feeding it.
Free Quote
A clear written quotation covering exactly what needs doing, in plain English. No upselling, no pressure.
The Work
Remove and safely dispose of affected timber, apply fungicidal treatment to timber and masonry, and fix the moisture source.
Guarantee
Replacement joinery fitted to a high standard, and a 30-year written guarantee issued on completion.
Before & after
Drag the slider to compare. Real before & after photography from dry rot jobs will drop straight into these slots.
Dry rot — frequently asked
It depends on how far the outbreak has spread, how much timber needs replacing and how accessible the area is. There's no honest one-size figure, which is why we survey first and give you a clear written quotation before any work starts. The survey and quote are free, with no obligation.
A contained outbreak can often be dealt with in a couple of days. Larger jobs involving significant timber removal and replacement joinery take longer. We give you a realistic timescale with your quote and keep disruption to a minimum.
Dry rot needs moisture to survive. If the source of the damp isn't fixed, it can return — which is exactly why we always deal with the cause, not just the visible damage. Treated and kept dry, it shouldn't come back, and our treatment work is backed by a 30-year written guarantee.
For dry rot, yes. Because it spreads through masonry and hides behind plaster and under floors, cutting out one board or painting over it won't stop it. Proper eradication means tracing the whole outbreak, treating it and fixing the moisture — that's what we do.
It depends on your policy and what caused the damp — for example, cover is more likely where dry rot follows a sudden escape of water than long-standing damp. Check your buildings insurance. We can provide a clear written description of the work and findings if you need to make a claim.
Soon. Dry rot spreads while it's left alone, so the earlier it's caught the less timber is affected and the smaller the job. If you suspect it, send us a photo or book a free survey — there's no obligation and no pressure.
Dry rot treatment across Central Scotland
Based at our workshop in Glasgow G42, we treat dry rot for domestic and commercial customers across the city and surrounding regions.
Get a free dry rot survey
Call, WhatsApp, or send a message and we'll get straight back to you with free expert advice. Free survey, usually within 48 hours.