Damp original floorboards - why?

[1930sreno1]

Hi All,

Took off laminate in hallway, discovered that a number of floorboards are discoloured and the screws are rusty. Suggests to me moisture? I have attached pictures. This is under the stairs. The wall beneath the backs back on to a garage wall which is a step down. There was what looked like a slow leaking pipe at the bottom of garage but it is further down and with it being a step down I don't think it was from that leak?

Our survey showed that the wall showed a high level of damp but this was due to it being a coal shed previously and incorrect plaster. The wall doesn't show any damp at all. Very weird.

Can anyone shed some light?

Thanks!

 

[jeff the gasman]

Does the cat pee there?

 

[^woody^]

The floor void is not adequately ventilated

 

[1930sreno1]

Hi we don't have a cat... we just moved in. Also our void is well ventilated apparently as we have newer type airbricks with plastic covers. It's really confusing

 

[^woody^]

The floor void must be humid, which is due to poor ventilation. The covering was acting as a barrier trapping in the humidity and causing the timber to stay damp and the nails to rust.

 

[1930sreno1]

Okay thank you, will have to get a builder to come round and check it out. I don't know why it's just in one area either

 

[JohnD]

you can lift some floor boards and have a look yourself.

You are looking for a source of water. Often the incoming water supply pipe runs under the hall floor to the kitchen at the back. After fifty years or more it may leak.

if there is an external wall there may a be a gutter or drain related leak, or water pooling on paving.

do not allow anybody who sells silicone injections into your house.

 

[foxhole]

Just added ventilation to a property with same problem, underlay under laminate trapped moisture rusting all the fixings.
The property had no under floor vents. Any pics of your external vents? Age of property?

 

[1930sreno1]

1930s house that was renovated around 20 years ago they even replaced most of the joists and put vents in. They did extend though so the wall across is the kitchen yep. We even had builders go down who there was enough ventilation. Ahhh so very frustrating might have to get another person to come take a look. We went down yesterday and there is a pipe but there is a gap. They extended next to the stairs but it's just a garage and no void under that so no air vents there. There won't be anywhere to put them. Its our first house too and this is so not ideal

 

[foxhole]

1930s house that was renovated around 20 years ago they even replaced most of the joists and put vents in. They did extend though so the wall across is the kitchen yep. We even had builders go down who there was enough ventilation. Ahhh so very frustrating might have to get another person to come take a look. We went down yesterday and there is a pipe but there is a gap. They extended next to the stairs but it's just a garage and no void under that so no air vents there. There won't be anywhere to put them. Its our first house too and this is so not ideal

Find your reply bit of a muddle.

 

[MeldrewsMate]

1930s house that was renovated around 20 years ago they even replaced most of the joists and put vents in.

Could there be a clue here, poor sub-floor cross-ventilation leading to rotten joists.
The extensions you refer to could also be compromising the cross-ventilation.
The cheapest way is to have a look for yourself before calling out contractors who either charge for their services (but generally give an honest appraisal) or those who are 'free' but have a vested interest in selling you some reparatory services.

 

[1930sreno1]

Thank you! We will definitely do that