If your skirting boards are soft, flaking, or discoloured, it’s a clear sign that moisture is affecting the timber.
Across Liverpool and Merseyside, skirting board decay is one of the first visible symptoms of rising damp, condensation, or poor ventilation.
At Weather Wise Solutions, we don’t just replace rotted timber — we find and fix the source of the damp, ensuring it doesn’t return.
💧 What Causes Skirting Boards to Rot?
There are several potential reasons why skirting boards begin to rot or crumble:
1️⃣ Rising Damp
When moisture travels up from the ground through masonry, it affects the plaster and the timber in direct contact with the wall.
Signs include:
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Soft, crumbly skirting boards
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Salt deposits on plaster or paint
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Damp patches that worsen near floor level
2️⃣ Condensation and Cold Walls
Condensation forms where warm, moist indoor air meets a cold surface — particularly on external walls.
If furniture blocks airflow or heating is inconsistent, skirting boards can stay damp and rot over time.
3️⃣ Penetrating Damp or Leaks
Water ingress from leaking pipes, blocked gutters, or cracks in render can soak lower wall areas.
This can mimic rising damp and cause localised decay.
🧰 How We Diagnose and Repair Rotting Skirting Boards
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we use a structured diagnostic process to ensure the correct treatment every time:
✅ Moisture profiling – checking moisture levels at various wall heights to distinguish between rising and penetrating damp.
✅ Salt testing – to confirm if hygroscopic salts are present, indicating ground moisture.
✅ Ventilation assessment – ensuring the room has proper airflow to prevent condensation build-up.
✅ Targeted timber replacement – only replacing what’s structurally necessary, using treated, durable timber.
✅ Wall protection – installing a silicone-based DPC, repairing bridging, and re-plastering with breathable, salt-resistant materials.
We use reliable materials and systems from PAM Ties and Wycamol to ensure longevity.
🌬️ Preventing Future Timber Decay
Once the cause of damp is resolved, we focus on prevention:
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Maintain steady indoor temperatures.
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Keep furniture away from cold external walls.
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Ensure trickle vents or PIV systems are working effectively.
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Regularly check gutters, downpipes, and external ground levels.
With the right moisture balance and ventilation, your skirting boards will stay dry and solid for years to come.
🏡 Why Liverpool Homeowners Trust Weather Wise
As a family-run damp and timber company, we take pride in diagnosing the cause properly before any repairs are carried out.
We are accredited members of the Federation of Damp, the Damp Proofing Association and Trust A Trader
Our CPD-qualified specialists provide insurance-backed guarantees on approved works for complete peace of mind.
👉 Book your free skirting board and moisture inspection in Liverpool:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact