Help with joists

[clare84]

Hi, I decided to move by bathroom around after having a airing cupbaord taken out (new combi).

I planned to put the bath where the hot water tank used to be - but I found the Joists in this condition.

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This is only in the area where the water tank used to be - past there the joists are fine.

While the top of the joists is quite flakey the rest of it seems solid, but Im no expert can anyone advise?

Thanks,

 

[^woody^]

Those holes seem like something has been eating it

 

[gregers]

congratulations,your the owner of a few hundred woodworm

spray affected area with a insecticide/fungicide and a couple of the other joists where you can get to them,clean out the run etc to make it nice and tidy.
if its really flaky then either remove the joist if feasible or remove as much as you can and sister a new joist in.

 

[clare84]

Thanks it doesn't seem flaky past the top layer if its only the top layer is it still safe for a bath to go along the joist?

I should. Be able to sister some, but not much - pipes everywhere...

Thanks,

 

[seasickstevie]

I wouldn't be relying on that joist for any support at all. Especially for a bath!

All the infected area needs removing and the area cleaning out. You're probably going to need some temporary support from below - I'm assuming it's not ground floor level.

You can notch out the new 'sister' joist to accept the pipework, but keep the notches to a minimum.

 

[noseall]

The only thing preventing that joist from failing is the fact that the woodworm are holding hands!