Help with survey result

restless6

Hi … I have just received a survey on 1900 house I am buying . I know it’s old so don’t know if this comment is to be expected if the age or not -

“there is evidence of a woodboring beetle infestation in some roof timbers “ 
could this be historic or likely a current issue ?

also “ some of the roof timbers are split and damaged which has caused the roof frame to distort which can also be seen externally “

can anyone advise how bad this is or is it ok to live with being an old house !?

thank you 

FreeBear

restless6 said: “there is evidence of a woodboring beetle infestation in some roof timbers “ 
could this be historic or likely a current issue ?

Evidence of wood boring beetle is most commonly small holes in the timbers. These appear as the beetles emerge and fly off. If the edge of the holes are bright and clean, it could suggest an active infestation. But they go for damp timber and moist sap wood. Dry timber and heart wood is too  tough for them to munch on.

Historical attack will be evidenced by the holes being dark, and in really old holes, almost black.

As long as the roof space is dry, and there are no leaks up there, I wouldn't be too concerned.

stuart45

I'd be more concerned about the timbers splitting and distortion in the roof.

njkmr

the roof space can be treated with spray that kills off the beetles. It's not major expensive from memory.
As for the sagging get a builder to have a look. Ideally one someone has used before and recommends.

user1977

The woodworm could be from any era in the past 124 years - I would suggest you ask the surveyor if they can comment on whether it's likely to be a current infestation.

youth_leader

My house was 1847 and the buyer's surveyor 'suspected' woodworm in the loft.  My buyer's mortgage surveyor then asked for a damp/timber survey, which I arranged.  Unfortunately the report was thrown out as inappropriate for a heritage building, but as told the surveyor, we had dealt with the woodworm twenty years before and I didn't believe it had returned.

FreeBear

njkmr said:

the roof space can be treated with spray that kills off the beetles. It's not major expensive from memory.
As for the sagging get a builder to have a look. Ideally one someone has used before and recommends.

Except that any spray will only soak in to the first few millimetres and won't kill anything boring through the depths of the wood. The chemicals might kill the beetles as they emerge (if the stuff is still active), but by then, the damage will have been done.