WORKS COVERED BY A 30 YEAR GUARANTEE
- Trading since 1970
- Residential work specialists
- No subcontractors
WORKS COVERED BY A 30 YEAR GUARANTEE
Trading since 1970
Residential work specialists
No subcontractors
To preserve the beauty and structural integrity of buildings across the country, we here at Insite Southern offer specialist services, including woodworm treatment. With the full backing of research and development, we are able to tackle infestations, damp, and decay within the structures of various buildings in Southampton. All of our treatments, including our woodworm treatments are available to both commercial and domestic clients.
Our team of professionals use tried and tested methods to eradicate any trace of problems affecting the structure of your property. If the timbers within your property have been weakened as a result of woodworm, then you should get in touch with our team as soon as possible. We will perform the relevant treatment to destroy the problem. If you need more information about how we can help, or if you would like to arrange a site survey, give us a call on 023 8063 7264.
Before we discuss our woodworm treatments, it is important to explain what woodworm actually is. Woodworm is the term used to describe the various types of woodboring insects who feed on wood within the structure of our properties. According to recent surveys, woodworm is an issue for around 75% of houses across Britain.
The most common insect that is eradicated during our woodworm treatment is the common furniture beetle, also known as anobium punctatum. It has been said that this type of insect is responsible for around 75% of all timber infestations. Woodworm infestations begin when the female beetle lays eggs on the surface of unpainted timber, within the cracks and joints, as well as old flight holes.
Once the eggs hatch into larvae, they begin biting into the wood of the timber and generally spend up to 3 years doing so, covering about 5cm per year. Externally, you may not see much of a difference, but internally, the structure of the timber can be severely weakened. The adult beetle will eventually create a flight hole to exit through after creating a small chamber below the surface of the timbers, and the cycle begins again.
It is important to note that other woodworm perpetrators include the death watch beetle, powered post beetle, woodboring weevil, and the longhorn beetle. If your timber is being damaged by these insects, then you must contact our experts for woodworm treatment.
Experience and skill are two of the many attributes our technicians possess, and when it comes to woodworm treatments, we first send in our surveyors. They will be able to identify the woodworm problem and learn the extent of the infestation before recommending remedial treatments.
With these particular treatments, our technicians will usually use a pressure spraying technique on the exposed timber. Effective chemicals may be used, but in some instances, we have applied Boron gels and rods. To prevent the infestation from returning, we may also use a specific timber treatment paste.
As well as woodworm treatment, we here at Insite Southern carry out an array of remedial works to help maintain the structural integrity of buildings, both domestic and commercial. Given our range of expertise, we are the first choice for many clients in Southampton and beyond. Below, we have outlined a handful of treatment solutions that we offer.
Dry rot is a term used to describe fungal decay in a property. Timber can be destroyed through woodworm insects, but it can also be affected when fungal decay spreads to it. In fact, dry rot is the most destructive of such decay found in building structures, and it is believed that it can spread at an average rate of 3.5 metres per year. Generally, the fungal matter grows behind plaster and it can seep through masonry and concrete.
Spores of fungus can make its way into the inner workings of your property by air currents or animals, and in some cases, even human beings. Dry rot, known as serpula lacrymans, has a moisture content of more than 20% and it penetrates wood once the spores have germinated. The enzymes and extracting nutrients break down the timber, weakening the structure of your building.
Damp timber is where fungi grows, so if sections of your house have poor ventilation, you could find yourself requiring treatment for fungal decay. In fact, research shows that this type of decay is indented in around 35% of surveys. This is because it tends to form as a result of failing damp proof courses, leaking roofs, blocked airbricks, high ground levels, and more.
It is important to be aware that a sheet of fungus will form if there have been advanced outbreaks of dry rot, and the colour will vary from dirty grey to pure white when conditions are wet. If you feel that your property is suffering from such issues, but you’re not entirely sure, give us a call and a member of our team will provide you with expert advice.
Wall tie replacement is a service that is likely to be needed on any building that was built prior to 1981. Findings by the Building Research Establishment indicate that in excess of 10 million homes in the UK are affected by this problem. The signs of wall tie failure tend to be cracks in the brickwork, and if you spot these signs, you should enlist our team for treatment. The problem occurs when wall ties corrode, or when a property does not have them installed at all.
In this instance, cracking occurs within the bedding joints, and the masonry can get distorted. It is the outer leaf of brickwork that can suffer the most damage, and during blustery weather conditions, the wall could lose its stability. Cracks are caused within the brickwork as a result of the wall ties expanding up to 7 times their original size because of corrosion. If you do not address this problem, the wall ties could break entirely, leading to a potential wall collapse.
Just like woodworm, wall tie corrosion can lead to structural damage, but in this instance, a collapsing wall could pose serious threats to safety. Not only that, but if the wall is not stabilised, then you may require demolition or reconstruction services down the line. By getting in touch with our treatment team as soon as possible, we will be able to take action.
