How do I tell if chipboard flooring is rotten?

minicooper272

We had a leak in our bathroom, only discovered when it started dripping into the flat below ours (looks to be superficial in their flat). The leak is fixed now, but it had soaked our whole bathroom floor – and it wasn’t just damp, it was saturated. Everything was hidden by the lino, but I’m thinking it was like that for a couple of weeks.

It’s chipboard, so I understand it’s more susceptible to rotting. I’ve poked at it with a plastic scraper and it’s not crumbly. Other than that, I’m not sure how to tell whether it’s rotted at all. When we step on it, it’s springy, but I don’t know if that proves anything. And how long after it’s dried out can we be sure it’s not going to rot?

Doozergirl

If it was short term, and it has dried out then there isn't really a reason for it to rot now. Rot needs feeding.

Chipboard 'blows' when it is saturated - it will expand and look useless.

It sounds like you're okay.

minicooper272

Hmm, I'm not sure if it was short term or long term... The dripping pipe was boxed in, so all I can do is take a best guess. I think all in, we'll be 10 days to dry out (on day 6 now).

Wookey

The chipboard will most likely not rot, what could happen will depend on the type of chipboard and how it's been made, good quality modern chipboards designed to be used as flooring should be fine, these could be up to an inch thick and are made with a water resistant glue.

Older thinner chipboard flooring can deteriorate quite quickly due to the chips expanding when soaking in the water and the glue not being water resistant, result will be you being able to put your foot thru it.

All wooden floors have a degree of springyness in them, not something to be overly concerned about, only a problem if it doesn't "return" back up when stepping on it and instead let you go down thru it.

Should the flooring start to fail i would be inclined to rip it all out and replace with good quality exterior ply, this is something that may need an insurance claim made against as would be costly.

minicooper272

Thanks Wookey, this is really helpful!


Not sure whether it's decent quality stuff or not - all I know is it's 12 years old!

Tom_Jones

Jump up and down on the chipboard and if you end up in the flat below then it's rotten