Strategy for the treatment and prevention of woodworm

Treatment and prevention of woodworm – the most effective and comprehensive approach. This strategy kills existing woodworm (and other insect infestations in the timbers of houses) and provides a natural  defence against future attack. Furthermore, this approach avoids use of toxic chemicals and has been proven to last for centuries!

The process of wood decay is an essential part of the ecosystem, converting dead wood into humus. Were it not for this process, the forest floor would be full of dead trees. Wood decay is achieved by a combination of wood boring insects and wood rot.

It is the larvae of the wood boring beetles (commonly know as ‘woodworm’) that burrow into the wood, and then exit some years later, leaving small holes in the wood. The combined impact of thousands of such holes is to compromise the structural capability of the timber, that may lead to structural failure if allowed to develop. Remedial work may be very expensive and disruptive if replacement timber is required.

Treatment and prevention of woodworm. Survey in France

Timber degraded by insect attack

The larvae of woodworm require some moisture within the timber for their survival. If the timber is dried to adequate levels through addressing the source of the damp, combined with ventilation, any existing larvae will die in the drying process. Even if some larvae do develop into beetles and exit the timber (as per their normal life cycle), they will not then lay eggs on the dry timber, so the infestation will naturally come to an end. Importantly the dry timber will become an unattractive environment for woodworm and naturally resistant to future infestations.

There are 3 key sources of moisture / damp within buildings:

  1. Penetrating – from roof leaks, blocked gutters, etc
  2. Rising – moisture drawn up through the structure from the ground
  3. Condensation – from ‘occupational’ sources, including breathing, showers, cooking etc, in addition to condensation of moisture from the building structure

In addition to reporting damp issues within the Survey Report, I also detail remedial options including repair works and modifications to address damp issues. I also provide care plans such as the increasing of ventilation, particularly in loft space where ventilation may be compromised for example by excessive amounts of insulation. This will allow the overall structure to remain dry, including the drying of stone walls, that in turn will draw moisture away from timber that is embedded within the wall, and would otherwise be vulnerable to insect attack and wood rot.

The house may have original hard wood floors concealed beneath modern rubber backed carpet and underlay. Another example of a very simple care plan is the removal of the carpet (that may enhance the appearance of the floor to the original design), and will also allow ventilation to the timber floor boards, also helping to draw moisture away from the joists and the floor void beneath. This is another small step in the overall strategy to allow the structure to ‘breathe’ in the way that was originally intended for the construction.

An alternative approach for the control and prevention of woodworm is to use modern chemical treatments. However, some timber may be inaccessible to treatment, for example concealed behind masonry or plaster. Where chemical treatment is recommended, this should always be undertaken in tandem to addressing any damp issues, with the objective of drying all areas.

Control and prevention of woodworm. Surveyor in France - timber rotFrench Property

Wood rot concealed behind plaster

I am a firm believer in the traditional strategy for the treatment and prevention of woodworm. The approach keeps the structure dry to effectively combat woodworm and wood rot, killing current infestations and importantly providing a natural defence for the future. This approach is centuries old in the making and will last for centuries to come.

Structural Survey in France. Traditional strategy to treat wood rot.

Structural Survey in France – this brief summary presents the traditional strategy for the treatment and prevention of wood rot within buildings.  When undertaking a Structural Survey in France I adopt this approach that is very similar to our approach for addressing wood worm.

The process of wood decay is an essential part of the ecosystem, converting dead wood into humus. Were it not for this process, the forest floor would be full of dead trees. Wood decay is achieved by a combination of wood boring insects and wood rot.

Structural Survey in France - wood rot

Damp resulting in wood rot.

As the rot develops, it softens the timber allowing it to absorb more moisture. This makes it an attractive environment for wood boring insects that will further degrade the timber. Left unchecked, the rot will develop and compromise the structural capability of the timber. This may lead to full structural failure. Remedial work may be very expensive and disruptive if replacement timber is required, especially if the timber is recessed behind masonry and plaster etc.

structural survey in France

Dry rot to a floor joist caused by the timber drawing moisture from the adjoining damp wall.

There are 2 key types of fungal attacks to wood, namely wet rot and dry rot. Both require elevated levels of moisture to be present in the wood in order to survive. However, dry rot requires less moisture. Accordingly it is often of more concern as it can flourish and quickly spread even in less damp conditions.

If the structural integrity of the wood is not compromised it should be dried to adequate levels (through addressing the source of the damp, combined with ventilation). This will cause existing rot to die. Importantly the dried wood will become an unattractive environment for future fungal attack and naturally resistant to future attack.

When undertaking a Structural Survey in France, I adopt specific procedures in accordance with the The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors guidelines and best practice. In addition to reporting any damp issues that may be present, we also detail remedial options including repair works and modifications to address damp. I also provide care plans such as increasing ventilation, particularly in loft space where ventilation may be compromised. This will allow the overall structure to remain dry, including of stone walls that in turn will draw moisture away from timber embedded within the wall. An alternative approach to combat wood rot is to use modern chemical treatments. However, some timber may be inaccessible to treatment, for example concealed behind masonry or plaster. Where chemical treatment is recommended, this should always be undertaken in tandem to addressing any damp issues, with the objective of drying all areas.

I am a firm believer in the traditional approach of keeping the structure dry to effectively combat wood rot, and importantly provide a natural defence for the future. This approach is centuries old in the making will last for centuries to come.

 

RICS Surveys in France. Traditional roof construction in France

When undertaking RICS Surveys in France, I see that many UK buyers tend to favour period properties either for permanent occupation or for holiday homes. When first viewing the loft space within French properties, many buyers are often concerned to see a vast array of bright spots of sunlight piercing the gaps between tiles. Furthermore, buyers may be concerned not to see felt under the tiles as is common practice in UK construction. Their immediate response is often of alarm, with concerns as to rain water cascading through the gaps, drenching everything beneath.

Often such concerns may be put to ease. It is common in France for felt not to be laid beneath the tiles, thus the underside of the tiles is exposed. The bright spots of daylight are normally via light penetrating laterally through spaces between the tiles. Clearly checks have to be made as to whether any are capable of water ingress.

No felt beneath battens allowing inspection of battens and underside of tiles.

No felt beneath battens allowing inspection of battens and underside of tiles.

The advantages of the traditional French approach of not using felt underlay include the following:

  • The roof will benefit from improved ventilation. The air within the loft is usually warmer than the outside air, so will naturally rise up through the gaps. This draws moist air away from the house beneath, and allows ventilation to the roof joists / rafters, and battens upon which the tiles are mounted
  • The underside of the tiles and battens are not obscured by felt and can be inspected to assess their condition. It also can allow for the replacement of individual broken tiles from within the loft, by carefully raising the adjoining tiles. This may be important where exterior access may be restricted by height that may require scaffold etc
  • If a leak does exist, the precise location of the leak can often be seen from within the loft thus facilitating repair. If the leak were onto a felt membrane, the water would then travel over the felt, often travelling horizontally for some distance having being diverted by the horizontally fitted battens. This makes identification of the precise location of the leak difficult. The felt would also direct the water to the underside of the battens making them prone to rot.
  • The absence of the felt results in a reduced weight that would otherwise be carried by the roof structure.

As a Chartered Surveyor when undertaking a detailed RICS Surveys in France I understand the logic of both traditional and modern construction. My detailed Survey Reports understand the ethos of the architecture, construction techniques and the correct approach to maintenance.  The approach to maintenance of traditional and modern buildings is necessarily very different. Armed with the French property survey report and Care Plans you can significantly reduce future maintenance and repair costs.

Building Survey in France. Property Maintenance – a forward looking approach

Building Survey in France. Property Maintenance – a forward looking approach 

A Building Survey in France is of real value not only to allow informed decisions in the buying process, but also for existing homeowners. The Building Survey allows for a logical and planned approach to your Property Maintenance in France.

Properties are often presented to the market with statements within the details such as ‘in good condition’. However, the qualification and basis upon which such statements are made is often questionable. A detailed inspection of concealed joists deep within the roof void or floor void can often tell a very different storey!

The Building Survey Report details defects and wants of repair with remedial options. This will then allow for an assessment of budget costs and consideration within the overall purchase with informed decision making.

Importantly when undertaking a Building Survey in France I undertake a detailed inspection to assess:

  • The current condition and wants of repair. This will allow for informed decisions to be made within the buying process
  • The anticipated future position in years to come taking account of matters that are developing or run the risk of so doing.

Both of the above points are critical. However, the second point is really valuable in terms of allowing for a Planned Maintenance Programme to be adopted. For example, there may be a situation where there is compromised ventilation to a floor void. As a result, the timber within the void might currently be showing early signs of decay or insect attack.

Early intervention by way of enhancement of ventilation can arrest the position at an early stage rather than allowing it to develop and then require a significantly more expensive and disruptive repair. It is often the implementation of very simple modifications and Planned Maintenance that can avoid the need for future costly and disruptive repair works. “A stitch in time…”

Accordingly the Building Survey Report provides real value now in respect of providing information upon which informed decisions can be made in the buying process. The Survey Report also provides value to the future by way of reduced repair and maintenance costs. The Report can be tailored so as to provide a Planned Maintenance Programme (PMP) for your house, allowing works to be undertaken in logical sequence. This will also reduce disruption and allow for phased budget planning.

All too often I see examples of property maintenance that has focussed on particular areas such as external decoration of windows and yet no maintenance has been undertaken within the roof void where often much more costly remedial work may be required unless maintenance is undertaken. For this reason a Survey Report is also of real value in respect of a house that you already own, providing a Planned Programme for your Property Maintenance in France. The Building Survey Report can be sent by pdf or hard copy.

Building Survey in France

Survey Report is issued by email of PDF file or bound hard copy.