Woodworm?

[Diyidoit2]

Hi guys, I looked at a house today, it has a great layout and great potential for a really nice home for myself.
However, there are some exposed woodwork that doesn’t look good to me.
What are your opinions please?

 

[mrrusty]

definitely woodworm. It can be sorted with both treatment and new timber. If not too extensive I wouldn't not buy an otherwise good house, but would make an allowance on the price

 

[Diyidoit2]

Thanks MrRusty, there’s only a small area exposed, would I need to and how would I treat the whole house?

 

[DAZB]

A positive sign of woodworm which may or may not still be active and a wee touch of dry rot. I would have a survey done before you go much further and it will give you more idea of what could be a costly problem. That said, it can be fixed but looks likely it will be a case of replacement timbers and treatment to other parts of the house also.

 

[Diyidoit2]

Thanks Dazb, definitely a survey. I have no idea at the cost of replacing joists and floorboards, surely a massive cost?

 

[Notch7]

I would be more concerned about the dry rot in image 1

 

[Diyidoit2]

Thanks Notch, yes I included that photo deliberately, wasn’t sure if it was dry rot or not. This area is almost separate to the main house, like an extension, the bathroom above is a few stairs lower than the first floor so joists might not be actually connected?

 

[conny]

Pay for a full timber structure throughout the house if you really want it. It will be costly, but if you go ahead you can try and add these costs to the reduction in price for the cost of remedial work. The surveyor should be a timber specialist, not a standard house surveyor.

The vendors will have to agree to carpets/flooring being lifted and access to 'out of sight' timbers. If they are unwilling to allow it, then walk away because they could also be trying to hide other extensive damage.

 

[Diyidoit2]

Thanks Conny, it’s an modern method auction so no negotiation. It will depend on if all the others bidders have noticed. If I decide to bid I’ll get a timber specialist surveyor, thanks for that advice, depending on price of course.

 

[opps]

Is woodworm still a problem in houses with central heating?

I thought that sufficiently heated houses, without leaks, were pretty ok.

Apropos the dry rot. Airflow is key. I would recommend treating the timber but airflow should be sufficient.