You have found some damp timber. You have to decide what treatments to use

(Use the attached form to make notes as you go and then compare them with the suggested answers). Click here for a copy of the Form.

What you can see

Roof frames made of sloping members (rafters) and horizontal beams (ties, collars) and their bearing ends (in the wall) all show signs of dampness (stains, darkening).

Checking for defects

What other symptoms of distress, damage or decay might you notice?

Look for the cause

What is causing the dampness?

How are you going to confirm whether the process has stopped or is still continuing?

Suggest the 'moisture meter' readings on which you might advise a Client as follows: a) no action required, b) at risk, needs treatment

Give as many examples as possible of why these timbers might have become wet in the first place.

How could these causes be eliminated in new build, renovation or repair?