Woodworm

italiastar

I was preparing to lay my laminate flooring today, when I looked the floor boards. The joists are riddled with the dreaded worm. I prodded the joists, but the are sound - also there is no sign of dust around any holes, which I would think is an indication of fresh activity. The carpet I pulled up looked like it had been down 20 - 30 years (we've lived here 10) and I'm wondering if they may be old holes which have been treated.

The question, should I worry ? if so what's the best way of fixing it. I'm worried about the use of chemicals with 4 children in the house. I've got some Cuprinol 5-star, but am reluctant to use it for this reason - the fumes would drive us out of the house. I could use a professional, but what assurance have I got about what they will use.

My question is therefore, is there a friendly, possibly water based product I could use - the job does not look complex - i'd carry it out from above and I guess that most of the cost for a professional is for their 30 year Guarantee, which is probably worthless.

Any ideas, please.

Edna_Bucket_2

italiastar wrote:

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My question is therefore, is there a friendly, possibly water based product I could use - the job does not look complex - i'd carry it out from above and I guess that most of the cost for a professional is for their 30 year Guarantee, which is probably worthless.

Any ideas, please.

I used to worry a lot about woodworm in houses too, but if you live in an old house (I assume you do) the fact is it would be very unusual not to have some somewhere!

That said if you are worried it might make sense to have reputable, and I stress reputable, professional look at it - the opinion should cost nothing hopefully.

I think also the big question you should be asking yourself is when and whether you are likely to sell and move on?

If you are going to do so in the future, this will come up in the survey - and although I agree with you that those guarantees are pretty worthless in themselves (the company giving is is never likely to be still around over that time!) the real value is by being able to give it to the prospective house buyer. that pre-empts any discussions about treatment then.

Obviously if you are never planning to move ignore all the above.

I'm not aware of any water-based alternatives, and if you think it through, would that be a great idea? Introducing lots of water to wood in an enclosed space - surely you'd create more problems than you would solve?

italiastar

Thanks for your advice. What annoys me is that I spotted some evedence under the stairs soon after we moved in - the full survey didn't. It probably wouldn't be noticed as it's all under the floor - the boards are fine.