A Simple Guide for Buying or Selling a House with Dry Rot
Buying or selling a house with dry rot can be a big challenge for both the buyer and seller. Dry rot can cause serious structural damage to a property and, in almost all cases, banks will refuse mortgages on homes where dry rot is present.
If you’re trying to sell a house with dry rot, it’s in your best interest to treat the dry rot before placing the property on the market. If you live in a place where dry rot is a common problem, it is highly advised that you have your home inspected professionally before putting it up for sale.
Equally, it’s important to inspect a property for dry rot and other problems, before you attempt to purchase it, otherwise you may find yourself left with expensive repair bills further down the line.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a house with dry rot, the team at Danford Brewer & Ives is here to explain everything you need to know.
What Is Dry Rot?
Dry rot is a type of fungi that spreads rapidly while showing very few signs of visible damage. But it can cause underlying structural problems if left untreated. Dry rot can be found in timbers, where fungi eat their way through the material, using wood as a source of nutrition. The fungal spores then move through the wood, leaving behind a trail of damage and destruction. Because timbers are often hidden away, dry rot can remain out of sight until serious damage becomes visible.
The fungal spores that cause dry rot are activated by damp conditions, however it’s important to note that dry rot is different from wet rot. In comparison to wet rot, dry rot is more dangerous, as it requires less moisture to thrive and spread.
What Are the Signs of Dry Rot?
As a buyer or seller, it’s important to keep your eyes open and be aware of the first signs of dry rot. If dry rot isn’t taken seriously, it won’t only cause expensive damage, it can decrease the value of a property or render it unsellable.
If you purchase a property only to find out later that it has dry rot, it would be on your shoulders to treat the issue if you don’t want to have to deal with further structural damage.
Because it’s so important to spot dry rot, especially before buying a property, we always recommend having a professional damp and timber survey carried out.
However, there are a few signs that might help you to detect dry rot:
- Pungent smell
- Puckered wood or bumpy wood
- Soft or spongy wood
- Wood cracks
- Paint cracks or chipping
- Wood discolouration
If you see any of these signs, the team at Danford Brewer & Ives can carry out a thorough, detailed survey of the property.
Should I Buy a House with Dry Rot?
If you discover that the house you’re hoping to buy has dry rot, it’s inadvisable to purchase it in its current state. In fact, if the property has dry rot, banks are unlikely to even approve a mortgage.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate with the seller and bank. If dry rot is found, a bank could approve a mortgage on the condition that the current owner treats the dry rot before the sale is completed.
If you’re a cash buyer, the same principles apply. If dry rot is discovered, you can ask the current owner to fix the issues or negotiate a discount that would cover the cost of the work later.
Can I Sell a House with Dry Rot?
If you’re attempting to sell a house with dry rot, you’ll find it extremely difficult. Banks only approve mortgages on the condition that a survey is carried out before the purchase. This pre-purchase survey would identify any dry rot and other related issues of dampness, rot, or mould, thus making the house unsellable or seriously depreciating its market value.
If you want to sell your home, it’s a good idea to have it inspected for dry rot before placing it on the market. If problems are identified, having them fixed will help the property to keep its value and make the sale process much more efficient.
How Can Dry Rot Be Treated?
You might think that it isn’t essential to treat dry rot before selling a house. However, it can have a significant impact on its selling price. If a buyer detects dry rot, you will likely get a lower price for your house in comparison to the amount you pay for treatment.
But dry rot can be treated, although the treatment and costs depend on how far the dry rot has spread and how much damage has been caused.
If dry rot is mostly on the surface of the wood and has not penetrated deep into it or if it has not caused any structural damage to the property, then it’s likely that you will pay less for treatment.
Sometimes, dry rot treatment can be as simple as cleaning the dry rot using a specialist wood treatment or fungicide. This is followed by a fresh coat of wood paint to stop dry rot from returning in the future. In this instance, dry rot treatment costs remain low while you raise the value of your home at the same time.
If dry rot has been left untreated, then it may spread through the timbers. If timbers have been seriously decayed, they may need removing and replacing. This is when dry rot treatment becomes expensive, as a lot of work is needed to ensure the structural stability of the home.
Due to potential damage dry rot can cause, if you are purchasing a house where dry rot is a problem, it is advised that you take a professional with you to ensure there is no chance of missing any signs.
An expert will not only investigate dry rot, but they’ll also tell you the scale of damage. Detecting the extent of dry rot requires experience and expertise, so a professional’s help is a much better idea than trying to investigate dry rot by yourself.
If you have already bought a home and have consequently found signs of dry rot, hiring a professional to investigate should be your top priority. After investigation, have the dry rot treated as soon as possible to stop it from spreading and causing devastating damage to your new property.
Contact Danford Brewer & Ives to Find Out More About Buying or Selling a Home with Dry Rot
If a property has dry rot, it will lose value and become difficult to buy or sell. If you’re planning on putting your home on the market or if you’re interested in purchasing a property, it’s essential to have a professional inspection carried out.
Danford Brewer & Ives can check properties for dry rot, in addition to other issues such as wet rot or damp that may cause problems for buyers and sellers. Contact our experienced team today to find out more.