Is It Wet Rot or Just Water Damage? – Kitchen Floors in Bury

Soft or Musty Kitchen Floor? It Might Be Wet Rot in Bury

If your kitchen floorboards feel soft, springy, or smell musty — you might assume it’s just damp from a spill or leak. But it could be a sign of active wet rot, especially in older timber floors found in many Bury homes.

At Weather Wise, we help homeowners identify the real cause of timber floor decay — and more importantly, whether you need repairs or full replacement.

Wet Rot vs Water Damage – What’s the Difference?

✅ Water Damage (No Fungal Growth)

• Usually from a leak (pipe, appliance, sink overflow)

• Timber looks discoloured or warped but holds its shape

• No visible fungus or spore masses

• Odour is musty, but not overpowering

• Floors may dry out and remain structurally sound

Action: Dry out, ventilate, and monitor. No rot treatment needed unless decay starts.

❌ Wet Rot (Fungal Decay Present)

• Caused by sustained high moisture (20%+) over time

• Brown, soft or crumbly timber

• Visible black/brown fungal growth on timber surface

• Floorboards may feel spongy or collapse

• Strong musty, earthy odour

• Often hidden beneath lino or units

Action: Remove all affected timber. Apply fungicidal treatment and replace decayed sections. Identify and fix the moisture source.

🧱 Why Bury Kitchens Are So Vulnerable

Kitchens are high-risk areas for timber decay because of:

• Leaking washing machines or dishwashers

• No sub-floor ventilation

• Covered floor voids (e.g. tiled floors over old floorboards)

• Poor airflow under suspended floors

• Cold walls creating condensation points

Many homes in Bury — especially Victorian terraces and 1930s semis — have suspended timber floors with no protection underneath.

👷♂️ How We Diagnose Wet Rot Properly

Our Level 3 trained surveyors inspect and test for:

• Moisture content in timber using probes

• Extent of decay (surface vs structural)

• Fungal identification

• Sub-floor ventilation issues

• Salt deposits or bridging that could be masking rising damp

We don’t just quote for repairs — we explain why the damage happened and how to prevent it returning.

🔨 Kitchen Floor Repair or Replace?

✅ Our Wet Rot Treatment in Bury Includes:

• Lifting flooring for full inspection

• Replacing decayed floorboards & joists

• Fungicidal treatment of surrounding timber

• Installing sub-floor air bricks or DMEV units

• Optional breathable plastering where damp has spread to the walls

🛠️ Why Choose Weather Wise

• 🔬 Proper moisture and fungal testing

• 🪵 Trained in timber decay and treatment

• 🧱 Solutions designed for older Bury properties

• 🛡️ Trusted members of the Damp Proofing Association and Federation of Damp

📍 Book Your Free Timber Floor Inspection in Bury

https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact

FAQs

Can I just replace the flooring on top?
Only if the joists and sub-floor are sound. Wet rot must be removed at the source or it will return.

Is it safe to walk on a wet rot floor?
Not if there’s structural decay. Soft, spongy floorboards can collapse under weight.

Will a DMEV fan help?
Yes — they remove humidity from kitchens and reduce the conditions that cause rot.