ROT TREATMENTS WITH BORON BASED FUNGICIDES

Summary: Treating Dry Rot with Borates. Wood rot treatment with Boron based preservatives.

DRY ROT - identification for rot treatment purposes

1. Strands - fibres like small plant roots, dirty off-white to silver grey in colour.

2. Sheets - Mycelium - dirty off-white skin, can be tinged with yellow, occasionally found as billowing cushions of off-white growths.

3. Mushroom - Fruiting Body - this produces the Spores - rust red in colour, can spread around onto other surfaces, usually found as a flat body with red spores in the centre and an off-white rim.

WET ROTS - most commonly misidentified features

1. Coniophora puteana - the 'cellar fungus' - dark brown to black strands in fern-like patterns, olive brown fruiting body (rare).

2. Fibroporia vaillantii - white strands in fern like growths, white fruiting body with pores.

3. Asterostroma - brilliant white, fine strands, fruiting body has no pores, mycelium has tiny star structures, visible only under magnification.

DRY ROT - treatment

The best, safest and most pleasant treatment to apply is Boron Ultra 12, a water based 'biostat' that has no adverse effect on non-wood boring insects or mammals (like Bats). This Borate is applied as two coats by brush or spray and soaks quickly into the masonry and timber. It is permanent and, unlike its main rivals, it has no vapour and no smell. It can only affect wood rotting fungi and wood boring insects, so Bats (a protected species) are not affected - their main food, the house fly, does not eat wood and so it never contains any preservative. Heavily infested areas of timber, and damp patches, should also have an application of Boron Ultra Gel, to reduce the risks of future rot and provide extra active ingredient. Permanently or seasonally damp wood needs injection with Boron Ultra Paste and the insertion of Boron Ultra Rods (for example, window frames, garden posts, door frames).

The so called 're-entry time', set by the HSE for every Pesticide, is only 1 hour, or until dry, whichever is the longer. Pet birds and fish are not at risk from Boron-based preservatives when used as specified, but do NOT apply Permethrin based alternatives (found in most DIY stores) if you keep any pets, particularly fish - Permethrin is lethal to fish in minute quantities.

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS - Dry Rot Paint

The photograph below shows untreated panels, on the left and treated panels on the right. The treated panels (in two columns) have been painted with Dry Rot Paint and show no signs of growth!

 

So, you can further reduce the risk of future Dry Rot attack by using this 'No Go Zone' special emulsion paint. It can be applied behind skirting boards, in window frame reveals and in joist sockets. The paint, which has been tested by BRE (Building Research Establishment - Government backed test Authority) prevents Dry Rot from passing across treated areas. No other treatment can currently offer this feature.

If you need any help with any type of Wood Treatment or identification of wood rotting fungi Property Repair Systems staff will be pleased to give you completely free, no obligation advice on 01626 331351.

RING US FOR HELP TO IDENTIFY YOUR FUNGUS - 01626 331351 - Fungus Help Line