On 27 July, 14:40, Martin Pentreath
wrote:
Hi, after finally deciding that the small black stain slowly growing
in the wooden floor near our shower tray needed further investigation,
I've discovered what I think is dry rot. Of course it may be wet rot!
Anyway, it's rotten. Treatment looks likely to be a major pain in the
arse, entailing presumably ripping out the whole shower tray and
surrounding studwork, before we even get to pulling up of floorboards
and joists. Anyway, it's beyond my expertise, ability or patience, so
I need to get someone in. The problem, of course, is that I've
developed a healthy mistrust of people trying to flog treatment for
damp/rot. Can anyone recommend (or just suggest) someone in London who
could do this sort of work reliably? I'm happy to go down the route of
getting a surveyor in to start with, but I don't know any of them
either.

Dear Martin
First, let me declare an interest. I have been MD of such a company
for over 30 years and am in London.
Secondly, I let me declare that I am not after your business as we now
operate as consultants.

There are about 2000 odd such firms in business in the UK and I
suspect about 50 odd are in London of which perhaps 30 are members of
the PCA (which took over from the BWPDA).

I have a healthy dislike and lack of respect for free surveys and have
always charged for mine and was the first company so to do. Nothing
in life is free.

If you care to send me a photograph of the wood of the support of the
shower I can on our pro bono terms (no charge but you indemnify us)
let you know what I think it is

Black does not indicate dry rot.

As stated by the others the key to control is
a) lift out the shower tray and get the air to the structure
b) stop water getting in
c) assess

you will find some sparce and rather old information on our rather
dated website www.atics.co.uk

some progress is being made on a replacement at cms.atics.co.uk


Chris