Hi,
just putting doors on this opening. It’s an old coal bunker.
Inside are the joists under my kitchen. I checked them all using a wood probe and they are registering about 17% on the pine setting. This isn’t too concerning given interior ones are 13%.
however, one bit of wood in there is really high, like 35-50% moisture.
this one, by the opening underneath the wall
I felt above this and it’s brick/concrete above.
So, forgive my ignorance on this, but is this bit of wood a lintel? Or is that the concrete bit above it? It kind of juts out a bit and one of my friends (builder) I think said that was the lintel. I just want to check this very damp bit of wood isn’t structural and liable to break and bring my wall with it!
it’s a 2 by 4 laid on its side (ie 2 inches high, 4 inches width ways). The joists are 2 by 4 laid the Normal way.
not sure what this is supporting or whether it was there to nail the hatch frame into.
Once I can establish what this is, if I get it all properly enclosed will wood lose its moisture content? Can it dry out once it’s no longer exposed (I have a sheet to cover the opening but it’s not particularly efficient)
lastly there are a few holes in the render above - perhaps water is going down the wall and making the wood damp?
thanks for your help. All of it seems solid, I can get a screwdriver in a little bit to all of them but not totally rotted, seem reasonable Nick just want to ensure I don’t end up needing new joists - advice appreciated.
just putting doors on this opening. It’s an old coal bunker.
Inside are the joists under my kitchen. I checked them all using a wood probe and they are registering about 17% on the pine setting. This isn’t too concerning given interior ones are 13%.
however, one bit of wood in there is really high, like 35-50% moisture.
this one, by the opening underneath the wall
I felt above this and it’s brick/concrete above.
So, forgive my ignorance on this, but is this bit of wood a lintel? Or is that the concrete bit above it? It kind of juts out a bit and one of my friends (builder) I think said that was the lintel. I just want to check this very damp bit of wood isn’t structural and liable to break and bring my wall with it!
it’s a 2 by 4 laid on its side (ie 2 inches high, 4 inches width ways). The joists are 2 by 4 laid the Normal way.
not sure what this is supporting or whether it was there to nail the hatch frame into.
Once I can establish what this is, if I get it all properly enclosed will wood lose its moisture content? Can it dry out once it’s no longer exposed (I have a sheet to cover the opening but it’s not particularly efficient)
lastly there are a few holes in the render above - perhaps water is going down the wall and making the wood damp?
thanks for your help. All of it seems solid, I can get a screwdriver in a little bit to all of them but not totally rotted, seem reasonable Nick just want to ensure I don’t end up needing new joists - advice appreciated.
