Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm identified, treated and repaired, with the moisture source fixed so it doesn't come back. Covering Guildford & Godalming, Dorking & Leatherhead and Kingston & Surbiton and across Surrey.
Book a surveyTimber decay in Surrey 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.
Surrey's older cottages, barns and village houses contain a great deal of structural timber, and many sit on suspended floors with limited sub-floor ventilation.
Our dry rot restoration at the Chapel in Weybridge is a good example of how much damage can build up out of sight, and how careful treatment and repair can save historic timber.
Surrey has an unusually wide mix of property: Victorian villas in Surbiton and Kingston, Edwardian and interwar family homes across Elmbridge and Epsom, and centuries-old timber-framed cottages, barns and farmhouses in the villages around Guildford, Dorking and Godalming. Older solid-walled and timber-framed buildings need breathable, sympathetic repairs, while interwar cavity-walled homes are prime candidates for wall tie corrosion.
Leafy plots, mature trees close to houses and many older properties with suspended timber floors mean sub-floor ventilation is often restricted. Blocked air bricks and damp sub-floors are a common starting point for wet rot, dry rot and woodworm in Surrey homes.
Historic town centres and timber-framed cottages along the Wey, which need breathable, sympathetic repairs and careful timber treatment.
Period cottages in the Mole Valley, where cement renders and blocked sub-floor vents often lead to trapped damp and wet rot.
Victorian villas and terraces, many split into flats, close to the Thames, so failing original damp proof courses and damp cellars are part of our everyday work there.
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 Surrey 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.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. We regularly work in Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham and West Molesey, and throughout Elmbridge, Kingston upon Thames, Guildford, Woking, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.
Towns and areas we cover in Surrey
One recent example of our dry rot & timber treatment work in Surrey: Dry rot restoration at the Chapel, Weybridge.
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 Surrey 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.
Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely more than a short drive from any Surrey property.
Yes. We regularly survey and treat listed and period properties around Guildford, Dorking, Godalming and the Surrey villages, using breathable, lime-compatible materials where the building needs them.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. Towns we visit regularly include Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham, West Molesey, Woking and Albury. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Surrey
Our other specialist services for Surrey homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Guildford & Godalming and Kingston & Surbiton.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Kingston & Surbiton and Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Woking & Weybridge and Kingston & Surbiton.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Epsom & Ewell and Woking & Weybridge.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey and Walton-on-Thames & Cobham.
Client testimonials
Our living room and hall was badly damaged by a leaking pipe from the flat above. Not only did they do an excellent job repairing it but they dealt with my insurance company who paid me in full. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Live just outside Surrey? 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.
