BBQ Hut Black Discolouring

[Fixxxer]

Hi,

There is a BBQ hut in our front garden, it was there when we bought the house.

I've noticed a black/grey discolouring at the bottom, and feeding up, through the hut. Do you think this is rising damp, or just general moisture damage from rain? I've no idea if there is any kind of DPC between hut and sleepers it is mounted on, I can't see it.

I was going to try get it off and add some protection to the wood, but no point if it's a more fundamental installation problem.

 

[noseall]

Hi,

There is a BBQ hut in our front garden, it was there when we bought the house.

I've noticed a black/grey discolouring at the bottom, and feeding up, through the hut. Do you think this is rising damp, or just general moisture damage from rain? I've no idea if there is any kind of DPC between hut and sleepers it is mounted on, I can't see it.

I was going to try get it off and add some protection to the wood, but no point if it's a more fundamental installation problem.

It's standard timber discolouration from a lack of maintenance (bi-annual treatment). My guess is that there is a roof overhang protecting the uppermost timbers so those at the bottom are getting the most stick.

 

[Fixxxer]

It's standard timber discolouration from a lack of maintenance (bi-annual treatment). My guess is that there is a roof overhang protecting the uppermost timbers so those at the bottom are getting the most stick.

Thanks, that's great.

 

[morqthana]

Dig a trench round it, put gravel in it. Reduces water splashing up from the ground when it rains.

 

[JohnD]

It's water and it will accelerate rot.

Stand back and take a wider pic showing the entire building all the way up to the roof.

Show the eaves, gutters, downpipe and drain or water butt.

 

[Fixxxer]

It's water and it will accelerate rot.

Stand back and take a wider pic showing the entire building all the way up to the roof.

Show the eaves, gutters, downpipe and drain or water butt.

 

[morqthana]

That doesn't look 1m from the boundary...

Anyway - guttering, dowpipe(s) and water butt(s) highly recommended.

Ignore my suggestion of digging a trench in resin bound gravel, but you might be able to build some kind of shallow trough.

When you've done what you can to stop water getting onto it, hope for a long, warm, dry spell, and if the timber dries out enough (get a moisture meter), get some protective treatment applied.

 

[JohnD]

Show the eaves, gutters, downpipe and drain or water butt.

There's the problem.