Hi all
Have moved into a single story cottage, circa 100 years old. The floor has been replaced since then, probably about 30 plus years ago. However i have removed a remnant chimney which was drawing moisture up from the bare earth under the floorboards and had caused localised rot and woodworm. Ive taken up the floor boards and taken out the offending joists and have the replacements (3) ready to put in.
What i'm wondering is do i do anything to the ends of the joists where they sit on the ledge at the sides of the house and where they lie on the sleeper walls. Currently they are sitting on a half inch thick length of wood and have been set in a blob of cement. The previous joist ends were coated in creosote but this didn't stop the rot and woodworm at the ends. The joists i have are treated Norway spruce ones. Do i just put these in same as the originals, or put thick plastic over the ends or what?
Ventilation under the floors is good, but the soil (solum) is damp this time of the year, particularly where i have disturbed it during the excavation of the chimney breast. The other joists away from this area elsewhere in the house seem fine and the rest of the flooring appears to be in good condition.
Have moved into a single story cottage, circa 100 years old. The floor has been replaced since then, probably about 30 plus years ago. However i have removed a remnant chimney which was drawing moisture up from the bare earth under the floorboards and had caused localised rot and woodworm. Ive taken up the floor boards and taken out the offending joists and have the replacements (3) ready to put in.
What i'm wondering is do i do anything to the ends of the joists where they sit on the ledge at the sides of the house and where they lie on the sleeper walls. Currently they are sitting on a half inch thick length of wood and have been set in a blob of cement. The previous joist ends were coated in creosote but this didn't stop the rot and woodworm at the ends. The joists i have are treated Norway spruce ones. Do i just put these in same as the originals, or put thick plastic over the ends or what?
Ventilation under the floors is good, but the soil (solum) is damp this time of the year, particularly where i have disturbed it during the excavation of the chimney breast. The other joists away from this area elsewhere in the house seem fine and the rest of the flooring appears to be in good condition.