How to repair a rotten timber beam

Timber is a common building material that is used in many houses and properties across the country. Although the durable and long-lasting wood is effective in construction, it can start to decay if it’s not properly looked after and no one wants rotten timber in the buildings.

Timber beams can fall victim to dry and wet rot which can make them lose their structural integrity and pose a risk to occupants.

Keep reading to find out more about rotten timber and how it can be repaired.

What is wet rot?

Wet rot occurs when timber beams are exposed to excessive moisture over time, like:

• Plumbing leaks
• Leaking roofs
• Penetrating damp through walls
• Condensation
• Leaky or blocked gutters

You can tell if you have wet rot by checking your beams for signs of darkened timber, soft and spongey timber, cracks that crumble when touched, shrinkage or a damp, musty smell.

What is dry rot?

Dry rot is a more serious issue for houses as it’s a type of fungal decay that will attack your beams and digest the timber.

This type of rot can quickly spread and severely damage the structure of your home if not eliminated swiftly.

Dry rot can occur by:

• Poor ventilation
• Rising or penetrating damp
• Leaking gutters and pipe

If you suspect your timber beams have dry rot, you should inspect further and look for signs of red dust from spreading spores, a mushroom-shaped sprouting body around the beams, or a greyish skin that forms over the beams with yellow and purple patches.

How to repair rotten timber beams

If your timber beams are experiencing rot, it’s important to call in the professionals to help you resolve the issue – trying to rectify any damage yourself can cause further complications.

It’s not difficult for professionals to repair holes or cracks in structural timber beams and restore the strength of the wood.

Timber resin is able to provide a solution that doesn’t disturb any undamaged timber and doesn’t involve a full replacement of the beams.

However, in some more severe cases, the entire beam may have to be replaced – especially in cases of dry rot where there is a risk of the rot spreading to more beams within your home.

If you’re worried about the timber beams in your home, get in touch with Structural Repairs today and we can help you figure out the kind of help you need.

We also offer all customers a free quote to get the repair process started.