Woodworm in bathroom

woodwormme

I’m getting my bathroom done and the fitter has found woodworm in the joists. It will most likely be due to her shower instillation that she got done on the cheap. 

What can I do bearing in mind that I just have the weekend to treat

FreeBear

Woodworm seems to be quite a hot topic this week....

Quick & dirty treatment - Flood the area with a dog flea spray. Get a pyrethrin (pyrethrum) based one, which is the same active chemical in many commercial woodworm treatments. Once the timber has dried out, the woodworm (if any are still alive) will find the wood difficult to bore in to and digest.

Make sure the joists are still sound - If they have been wet for any length of time, rot may have set in too.

woodwormme

FreeBear said:

Woodworm seems to be quite a hot topic this week....

Quick & dirty treatment - Flood the area with a dog flea spray. Get a pyrethrin (pyrethrum) based one, which is the same active chemical in many commercial woodworm treatments. Once the timber has dried out, the woodworm (if any are still alive) will find the wood difficult to bore in to and digest.

Make sure the joists are still sound - If they have been wet for any length of time, rot may have set in too.

How do I get at the areas under the floor boards? Take them up as well? 

Yes there is some rot as well. 

NewShadow

FreeBear said:

Flood the area with a dog flea spray. Get a pyrethrin (pyrethrum) based one, which is the same active chemical in many commercial woodworm treatments. 

Hopefully doesn't need to be said, but - keep any animals completely out of the area for at least 48 hours after you think it's dry and wear a mask/safety glasses/limit your exposure. 

Permethrin is low toxicity for humans but it can cause skin irritation/lung issues so make sure you take sensible precautions.

FreeBear

woodwormme said: How do I get at the areas under the floor boards? Take them up as well? 

Yes there is some rot as well. 

Unless you have access to the joists from below, the boards will have to be lifted. As you have rot, the boards will need to be lifted in order to treat that little problem too.

Depending on the extent of the rot & woodworm, the joists may need to be replaced, so all the boards will have to come up and the ceiling below removed.