Crumbly floorboards

SaveSomeMore_2

Just lifted the carpets in my house (which is over 100 years old) and found the floorboards (although generally level and solid to walk on) are crumbling in places (mainly around the edges/ends).

On closer inspection there are a few woodworm holes (no frass though or evidence of recent bugs), a bit like this at the ends of a few boards:

https://knoleconservationteam.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/imag0533.jpg

or as show in in this thread:

http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?t=81013&p=750114

The survey showed no evidence of damp in the room (and the walls are dry and warm), nor is there any discoloration on the boards as seems to be common with dry rot.

I'm wondering if this is relatively normal considering the age of the boards, and the fact the boards don't appear to have been cared for well (glues/paints used, no varnish etc)? Or is it likely indicative of a bigger issue at play.

I was due to board over the boards ready for carpet which I'm guessing will strengthen them a bit and shield them from further damage - and will obviously remove and replace the worst bits of boards, but do I need to be getting it all redone from scratch? I was hoping I could just mend and treat what is in?

It just seems a bit of a waste getting all new floorboards only to be boarding over them and carpetting!

phill99

Its quite straightforward to replace the damaged parts of the floorboards. Just cut them out along the joist line and set new boards in. If they are crumbling, they are likely to get worse.

dominoman

Try turning the worst ones upside down.

I found my floorboards were far worse on the warm side than on the bottom. When we sanded them some almost turned to dust, but the underside was fine.

So long as there's enough thickness to support your weight I'd keep them. Much easier than finding new ones to match the colour and size.