Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm identified, treated and repaired, with the moisture source fixed so it doesn't come back. Covering Horsham, Brighton & Hove and Lewes and across Sussex.
Book a surveyTimber decay in Sussex properties is usually hidden: under floorboards, behind skirting and panelling, in roof voids and at the ends of joists built into damp walls.
By the time it is visible, it has often been active for some time. Our PCA-qualified surveyors identify exactly which fungus or insect is present, how far it has spread and what is feeding it, then carry out treatment and timber repairs in one programme.
Timber-framed Wealden houses, thatched cottages and seafront properties exposed to driving rain all give timber decay a foothold in Sussex. We often find wet rot in sole plates, window frames and roof timbers, and dry rot where a long-term leak has gone unnoticed in a basement or behind panelling.
Sussex combines Regency and Victorian seafront terraces in Brighton, Hove and Eastbourne with flint cottages on the Downs and tile-hung, timber-framed Wealden houses inland. Many of these older buildings were built with lime mortars and solid walls that need to breathe, and inappropriate cement renders or modern paints are a frequent cause of trapped damp.
Exposure is the big factor on the coast. Wind-driven rain hits south- and west-facing walls hard, salt air accelerates the decay of render and pointing, and penetrating damp follows. Inland, older timber-framed and thatched buildings are vulnerable to timber decay wherever water gets in.
Historic town-centre buildings and Wealden houses on clay, where timber decay and damp in solid walls need a sympathetic approach.
Regency and Victorian seafront terraces, many converted into flats, where wind-driven rain, salt air and tired render cause penetrating damp and condensation.
Flint, brick and timber-framed buildings beside the Ouse, a town that knows the cost of flooding all too well.
Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) is the most serious form of timber decay because it can spread through masonry to reach new timber. Treatment starts by finding and stopping the source of moisture. Affected timber is then cut out well beyond the last visible signs of decay, surrounding masonry is sterilised where needed, and retained timber is treated with professional fungicide before new, pre-treated timber is fitted.
Wet rot is more common and stays where the timber is wet. Once the leak, damp wall or poor ventilation is fixed, decayed timber is replaced or repaired and sound timber is treated. We often find wet rot in window frames, skirting boards, joist ends and sub-floors with blocked air bricks.
Woodworm treatment begins with confirming whether an infestation is active. Old flight holes are common in period properties and don't always need treatment. Where beetles are active, we apply a targeted insecticide treatment to the affected timbers and advise on any structural repairs.
A PCA-qualified, commission-free surveyor visits your Sussex property, investigates with calibrated equipment and identifies the cause.
You receive a clear written report explaining what we found and what we recommend, with a fixed quotation and no hidden extras.
Our own trained team carries out the work, protecting your home, keeping dust down and leaving everything clean.
You receive a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee for a single premium.
Our surveyors cover East and West Sussex regularly, from the Weald villages to the coast. We regularly work in Hastings, Gatwick, Ashurst, Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea and Copthorne, and throughout Brighton & Hove, Horsham, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Chichester and Arun.
Towns and areas we cover in Sussex
Find out more about our dry rot & timber treatment service.
Book a survey
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, arranging a professional survey is the best way to identify the cause and prevent further damage.
In the right conditions dry rot can spread surprisingly quickly, sending strands through walls and behind plaster to reach new timber. That is why any suspected outbreak in Sussex should be inspected promptly rather than left until it is visible elsewhere.
They look different under inspection and are treated differently. Dry rot produces cube-shaped cracking, white mycelium and grey strands and can travel through masonry. Wet rot stays where the timber is wet. A timber survey confirms which you have before any work is priced.
Not always. Many period properties have historic flight holes from an infestation that died out long ago. We check for fresh bore dust and clean, sharp-edged holes to decide whether treatment is actually needed.
Yes. Our timber treatments carry a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) for a single premium.
Yes. Wind-driven rain and salt air cause a lot of penetrating damp in seafront properties. We find where the water is getting in, from render and pointing to parapets and windows, and fix it at source.
Yes. Flint cottages and Wealden timber-framed houses need breathable materials and careful repairs rather than heavy-handed injection and hard plaster, and that is how we treat them.
Our surveyors cover East and West Sussex regularly, from the Weald villages to the coast. Towns we visit regularly include Hastings, Gatwick, Ashurst, Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea, Copthorne, Crawley and Crowborough. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Sussex
Our other specialist services for Sussex homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Crawley & Haywards Heath and Horsham.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Worthing and Brighton & Hove.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Brighton & Hove and Chichester.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Eastbourne and Crawley & Haywards Heath.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Lewes and Chichester.
Client testimonials
We bought a house that had a basement but was in need of some work. Right from the start we received a professional service. The work was carried out in a timely manner and there were no hidden surprises!
Live just outside Sussex? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
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From our offices in Thames Ditton and Esher, our surveyors cover London and the surrounding counties, providing fast response times for residential and commercial properties alike.
We regularly work with:
Whether your property requires a damp survey, timber inspection or basement waterproofing system, our experienced team is ready to help.
Our certifications reflect our commitment to the highest standards of work and quality.
Why Tapco
Established in 1971
Choosing Tapco HomeDry means choosing a company with a proven history of protecting properties across the South East.
We believe every property deserves an individual assessment. That’s why our recommendations are based on what your building genuinely needs, not unnecessary treatments.
Tapco (Preservation) Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 423558) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks.
