Damp issue help required

[spatchtadley]

Hi folks,

We've moved some furniture around in out back room and found that the carpet underneath was rotting. I've lifted it up and found that there's a section of carpet edging strip that's disintegrated into a dust. Is this dry rot?

disintegrated-carpet-gripper1

• spatchtadley
• 17 Apr 2021

disintegrated-carpet-gripper2

• spatchtadley
• 17 Apr 2021

disintegrated-carpet-gripper3

• spatchtadley
• 17 Apr 2021

The floor boards underneath seem OK, so hopefully I have found it before it's done too much damage.

I'm wondering if the walls are letting in moisture or whether it could be caused by years of poor ventilation in that room and not getting enough heating in there.

The house has a void underneath the floorboards. On the outside of the wall, there is a downpipe from the guttering about 2m along, so I will inspect that later when I have access from my neighbour.

Does anyone have any tips to help me resolve this please?

 

[jacko555]

Pic 3 looks a bit woodwormy but is so fuzzy could just be rot.
Does it smell

 

[mrrusty]

Yes, definitely worm. It's strange how they can decimate one bit of wood and leave another bit alone.

 

[jacko555]

strange how they can decimate one bit of wood and leave another bit alone

Yeah, its bizarre. I live in an old house. Original picture rails held their shape do to a century of gloss paints holding them together. Some crumbled on removal - just a honeycomb of frass.

Original tongue and groove "wall" boxing of understairs and pantry was practically balsawood when I removed it. The staircase, floorboards, 1st floor joists no sign. I have had all the floors up for various reasons (this was one of them) and pleasantly surprised the worm kept to defined parts.

Small signs in the wc and bathroom floor boards where there was consistent damp from wc condensation etc. Replaced as needed.

Apparently they like damp dead wood.

Odd little beasties. Apparently a delicacy in some countries.