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How to Sell a House With Dry Rot

Property Saviour » Problematic Properties » How to Sell a House With Dry Rot

If you want to sell a property with dry rot, you must investigate the problem as soon as you spot it.  It needs immediate treatment to minimise structural damage to the property.

If you need to sell your property right now, the good news is that Property Saviour will buy any property, whatever its condition.

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What is dry rot?

Dry rot, known as ‘Serpula Lacrymans’, is a destructive wood-rotting fungus that attacks damp timber in a house. The optimum temperature for dry rot to grow is at 22ºC, with the maximum temperature being 26 ºC. 

Dry rot can spread onto materials ranging from carpets to living room furniture. 

What causes dry rot?

One of the root causes of dry rot is dampness. There are several types of dampness that can cause dry rot, but one of the main causes is penetrating damp.

Heavy rainfall can seep into the property’s walls, roof or foundations if you have damaged guttering, downspouts or rainwater gullies.

Dry rot is quite distinctive compared to other types of rot and has several key characteristics.

Fluffy white growth

Mycelium is a white/grey cotton wool-like substance and is normally present on the timbers.

Damp musty odour

Dry rot has a very strong smell, which is also a key indicator that it’s making its mark on your property. The rotting fungus has a distinctive damp, musty odour that strengthens as the dry rot spreads.

Dry cracked timbers

The damaged timber will appear to be dried out and the wood will be broken up through cuboidal cracking. The wood also tends to darken as the dry rot attack worsens.

House with dry rot
If dry rot attacks your roof, the problem can prove extremely costly and prevent you from selling your house.

How to know if your house has dry rot

Rotten roof timbers

If dry rot attacks your roof, the problem can prove extremely costly and prevent you from selling your house.

The property would be deemed unmortgageable because people cannot live in it without extensive repairs.

You could end up with a leaky roof as timber rots away.

What is the difference between wet and dry rot?

Homeowners often get confused between wet rot and dry rot, as they both leave a similar trail. So, what is the difference between wet and dry rot? 

Dry rot is the most serious form of fungus decay in a building; it spreads onto and destroys much of the timber. Conversely, wet rot fungus occurs more frequently but is less serious. Decay is usually confined to where the timber becomes and stays wet.

It is vitally important to get a dry rot specialist to inspect the damage as soon as possible to correctly identify the source and type of fungus.  They can also compile a plan to treat the affected area. 

Often recommended treatment is to replace floorboards and the joists, depending on the severity of damage caused.

How does dry rot affect the sale of a property?

If you’re getting ready to sell a house affected by dry rot, you should be aware this will affect any offer you receive and significantly reduce your house’s eventual selling price. By law, you have to be honest in all property details and advertisements. 

The potential buyer won’t be too happy if they find out they’ve just found a new home with lots of nasty, smelly, dry rot. 

Any potential buyer will be unlikely to be able to secure the necessary mortgage on a property in this condition, as there is no easy way to check if all the dry rot has been treated successfully.  This leaves you looking for a way to sell an unmortgageable property quickly.

How do you stop the rot progressing?
The potential buyer won’t be too happy if they find out they’ve just found a new home with lots of nasty, smelly, dry rot. 

How do you stop the rot progressing?

As soon as the problem is uncovered, inspecting the building internally and externally for signs of disrepair is vital. You may find broken guttering, damaged drainpipes and soil pipes, missing roof files, leaking appliances or subsiding foundations are the cause.  A dry rot specialist can then advise you to remove the damaged areas and stop the rot from progressing.

Is it easy to treat the rotten timbers?

Frustratingly, dry rot can accumulate following long-term neglect or maintenance issues such as poor drainage or leaks. Water ingress from multiple sources is not always simple to identify, so by the time the rot is noticed. It has usually been able to destroy the structural integrity of key timbers in the building. Treating them isn’t enough.  They have to be removed and replaced.

Damp specialists can remove the affected materials and treat the infestation with professional fungicides. Major renovations are usually necessary and, of course, costly.

Can I sell my rotten property for cash?

Can I sell my rotten property for cash? You might think we wouldn’t want your rotting property… but we don’t mind at all!

We are experts in buying properties in any awful condition you can imagine. We will always buy the plot of land or take on the unfinished refurbishment house. We give you an instant cash offer so you can move on with your life and stop worrying about the damage.

Here at Property Saviour, we guide you through the selling process and stay in touch daily. We have strong values – firmly believing that selling a property should be hassle-free and efficient.  

If you know someone dealing with dry rot and needing a quick solution, share this post with them and help ease their mind. There is a solution to dry rot – and we are the best people to find it for you.

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