Woodworm....eek

[SilverHawk]

I've just lifted the old carpet and found holes. Unmistakeable.
I'm in a race against time as the new carpet is coming next Wednesday.

I have bought some Cuprinol 5 star complete wood treatment but am worried about the joists. Is there anything better?

[CrapBag]

I got people in to do it. Didn't want to take a chance tbh.

[SilverHawk]

What did the people do, Crapbag?

[bilbodog]

The holes could be old? I think fresh ones normally have sawdust around them so you might not need to panic

[SilverHawk]

I found a little one on the wall this afternoon. That's why I think its live :(
There is so much dust around at the moment that I could not have told otherwise. I also like to err on the safe side as it is quite an old house.

[CrapBag]

They came and sprayed everything that was wood. And they can get in everywhere. I looked in after and everything that was wood was soaked through. Expensive but it's not something I wanted to do myself as they can get under the floor boards and, like you say, into the joists. I fact my friend had it in her joists and had to get it treated.

[SilverHawk]

Thank you, Crapbag, could you give me a time scale? I still have to paint and gloss. Then it is a Bank Holiday...

[CrapBag]

Each time we were pushed for time as we wanted it done before we moved in to our new house, then the bathroom had been ripped out and it was found there as well. When we explained to the company they did fit us in as quickly as they could. It was less than a week but they were very busy at the time. If you explain they should be able to tell you how quickly you can get it done.

[SilverHawk]

Thank you, I take it that you are talking about a well known national company, beginning with R?

[CrapBag]

No, I think they are local company that the estate agents got in to check what was on the survey then we used them twice to do the treatment.

Just Googled them and yes they are a family run business for the county I live in.

[SilverHawk]

Ball park price for a spray?

Piglet WWYdo?

[CrapBag]

Our loft cost £490 after a 10% discount to for paying before it was done. The bathroom cost £190.

[SilverHawk]

Ah, this is box room, next to bathroom though. Mmm read they like moisture. DH goes in the loft, might get him to have a look.
= one job lot!

[PigletJohn]

Get it professionally sprayed on and under all the floors. All the carpets will have to come up, and a few of the boards. The company will issue a 25 year guarantee backed by an insurance co or trade association.

Postpone your new carpet until it is finished and dried.

The new carpet will probably have to be laid on plastic sheeting if the fluid has not had time to dry. It might attack plastic foam underlay or backing, consult the carpet co. It smells a bit.

Modern houses do not often get worm because central heating and good ventilation keep the timber too dry for them to survive. So look for causes of damp such as plumbing leaks or earth agsinst walls or blocked airbricks. The worm company might also inspect or treat for rot, but curing the damp is vital.

Look out for woodlice, which (only) eat damp, rotting wood.

Sorry.

[SilverHawk]

Thank you Piglet John, I suspected that it might be a spray job but am very glad of your advice about carpets.

It is the end room on an L, first floor. There is no sign of damp and the decorators that have just done the ceiling and lining paper agree. They don't hold back and have pointed out other areas (other end of house).

The room had not had the carpets up since the 50s (used for storage) :o

[SilverHawk]

That's odd, I meant