woodworm in my oak floor, any point chasing provider?

davemorton

I bought and installed an oak floor in late 2008. This summer I have started to notice woodworm holes appearing in 2 of the planks. I managed to catch one of the blighters, and it is the powderpost beetle.
Depending on which site I look on, they have a life-cycle of between 2 and 5 years. If the latter, then the wood must have been infected before purchase, thus making the wood not fit for purpose. Is there any point chasing the shop where I bought the wood (rather large DIY chain) of just put it down to bad luck??

T_T_2

davemorton wrote: »

I bought and installed an oak floor in late 2008. This summer I have started to notice woodworm holes appearing in 2 of the planks. I managed to catch one of the blighters, and it is the powderpost beetle.
Depending on which site I look on, they have a life-cycle of between 2 and 5 years. If the latter, then the wood must have been infected before purchase, thus making the wood not fit for purpose. Is there any point chasing the shop where I bought the wood (rather large DIY chain) of just put it down to bad luck??

It is possible that they were present before you purchased the wood but it is a bit much to say that they musthave been there before purchase. If I was you I would want to nail this within the first communication to the retailer, so it would be wise to do all of your research and evidence gathering now, rather than answering their inevitable drip drip of supplementary questions.

It would be worth researching the little blighters a bit more. Be sure that you have correctly identified them. How do they move? Can they move from one wood to the next? Could the infection have been introduced by you either from other furniture or on your clothing? Can you determine the age of the blighter you caught from online data?

If it transpires that they can jump from wood to wood (like a lot of woodworm) then that is what the retailer is likely to argue.

paddyrg

I would imagine you will have a huge battle ahead. If the woodworm have a lifecycle of 2-5 yrs, that doesn't mean they spend years as an egg, then suddenly emerge years later. Or that'll be what the vendor will argue and accuse you of the woodworm coming from some other source, even another bit of furniture that you had in your car last year, then the eggs transferred, or whatever. I would say the burden of proof lands squarely in your court!

Can you get an expert witness?

davemorton

T_T wrote: »

it would be wise to do all of your research and evidence gathering now,
It would be worth researching the little blighters a bit more. Be sure that you have correctly identified them. Can you determine the age of the blighter you caught from online data?
.

Thats where my problem lies. Depending on where I get the information from, the information changes, so finding it hard to find a definative answer. I have a definate ID, as caught one of the blighters by putting glasses over the exit holes.

paddyrg wrote: »

I would imagine you will have a huge battle ahead.
I would say the burden of proof lands squarely in your court!

Yip, looking more and more like I will have to just forget it. Sods law it had to be a board in the middle of the floor, and not near the edge!!!

justjohn

mmm i thought most new/re-used wood was treated as standard???

First thing i would do is check other timbers...

Elton

I have been reading up on woodworm as I have some to treat in my own house. I found this article on one of the most informative sites on the subject which appears to describe the exact problem that you have - http://www.buildingpreservation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32%3Ais-powder-post-beetle-making-a-comeback-&catid=4%3Atimber-infestation&Itemid=28