Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm identified, treated and repaired, with the moisture source fixed so it doesn't come back. Covering St Albans, Hitchin & Hertford and Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead and across Hertfordshire.
Book a surveyTimber decay in Hertfordshire 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.
Hertfordshire's timber-framed buildings in St Albans, Hitchin and the surrounding villages, and the suspended floors of its Victorian and interwar homes, are where we most often find wet rot, dry rot and woodworm.
Correcting sub-floor ventilation is often as important as the treatment itself.
Hertfordshire mixes historic market towns such as St Albans, Hitchin and Berkhamsted, with timber-framed and Georgian buildings, alongside large areas of Victorian, interwar and post-war commuter housing. Older timber-framed properties need careful, breathable repairs, while interwar homes often have corroding mild steel wall ties.
Older homes with suspended timber floors and blocked sub-floor vents are prone to rot and woodworm, and extended or converted homes frequently suffer condensation where ventilation hasn't kept up.
A historic city with timber-framed and Georgian buildings in its conservation areas, which need breathable, sympathetic repairs.
Market towns with timber-framed buildings and riverside homes that need careful damp and timber treatment.
Victorian and Edwardian homes alongside new-town housing, where rising damp and wall tie corrosion feature.
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 Hertfordshire 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.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. We regularly work in Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree and Hatfield, and throughout Watford, St Albans, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and Welwyn Hatfield.
Towns and areas we cover in Hertfordshire
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 Hertfordshire 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.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire regularly, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Call us to check further afield.
Yes. Timber-framed properties in St Albans, Hitchin and the market towns need careful, breathable repairs, and we treat timber decay and woodworm without damaging historic fabric.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Towns we visit regularly include Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree, Hatfield, North Mymms and Potters Bar. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Hertfordshire
Our other specialist services for Hertfordshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and St Albans.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and Rickmansworth.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Watford and Welwyn & Hatfield.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Potters Bar & Borehamwood and Watford.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Rickmansworth and Hitchin & Hertford.
Client testimonials
We have used Tapco now for 15 years and have no hesitation in recommending them for reports and for follow on works. The quality of their works and reporting standards are excellent.
Live just outside Hertfordshire? 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.
