What Happens if You Leave Damp Untreated?

What Happens if Penetrating Damp Is Left Untreated?

Speaking of penetrating damp, this can also cause a considerable amount of damage to a property. This damage includes misshapen or damaged plaster, resulting in blistering paint and fluff-like residue forming on the surface. Similarly, there may be localised patches of damp that are seemingly impossible to dry out.

As previously mentioned, all forms of damp present the threat of mould growth, meaning that penetrating damp can also lead to the appearance of mould alongside a musty odour. On top of this, the skirting boards and floor timbers will begin to rot.

Quite simply, lingering penetrating damp will lead to the deterioration of your property’s fabric, including the ceilings, floors, walls, and timber. Unlike rising damp, penetrating damp can occur at any level of your property.

What Happens if Dry Rot Is Left Untreated?

Dry rot is one of the most severe forms of damp that can occur in a building and, if left untreated, the potentially irreversible damage can be inflicted on the property. Dry rot is a type of fungal decay that occurs when wood becomes too wet, leading to the timber being attacked by wood-destroying fungus.

This type of rot will rapidly spread across and behind masonry, resulting in the destruction of all timber in its path. Dry rot can affect old and new buildings alike and leaving it untreated can be detrimental to your property’s structural integrity, which can lead to a complete collapse.

The name “dry rot” comes from the dry and stiff appearance of the affected timber. The wood gains this appearance due to the fact that the fungus sets out to attack the wood, which results in its breakdown, leading to the rotting and weakening of the structure.

Furthermore, although untreated dry rot itself isn’t a threat to human health, the presence of dry rot often indicates increased levels of condensation and dampness. In turn, this can lead to respiratory problems, as well as further issues for your property, such as mould growth, woodworm, and wet rot.

What Happens if Wet Rot Is Left Untreated?

Following on from the mention of wet rot, this too can cause significant damage to a property when left untreated. Wet rot presents itself in the form of fungal growth on timber, weak or discoloured timber, moving floorboards, softened or cracked timber, and a musty or damp odour.

Wet rot doesn’t spread to the same extent as dry rot, but this doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous to your building’s structural integrity. The poor weather conditions in the UK mean that wet rot is relatively common, making the protection against it absolutely imperative.

As with most types of rot, if left untreated, wet rot can completely destroy a property.

Treat Your Property Defects with Garratt’s Damp & Timber Ltd

Here at Garratt’s, we’re equipped to assess and treat all manner of property defects. Get in touch to learn more about what we can do for you today.