Subfloor ventilation

[LydiaEdwardianHouse]

Hi there,

looking for a bit of advice.

we had a damp and timber specialist come to look at our subfloor the other day as there’s signs of woodworm and a smell of damp.

upon inspection (he was round 10 mins and charged £160!) he’s quoted £825 for treatment in the hallway, dining room and lounge (just chemicals, structurally they were fine) and £450 later for the kitchen.

he’s also quoted for fitting new air vents at £925.

does this seem about right or is he having us on? Worryingly I seemed to know more about air vents than he did - he wanted to put them right on ground level, I had to explain why not!!! Supposedly CSTR certified but really think he should have known more about that.

many advice appreciated.

thanks

 

[flameport]

signs of woodworm

From how long ago? Just some holes or more than that?

As for the damp - fit the vents yourself.
If it's not damp, it's unlikely the woodworm will return (assuming they are still there now).

Unlikely that any chemicals are needed.

 

[KenGMac]

out of interest? roughly how many air bricks are installed?

Are they clear of dirt / debris Etc?

Ken.

 

[Nige F]

Hi there,

looking for a bit of advice.

we had a damp and timber specialist come to look at our subfloor the other day as there’s signs of woodworm and a smell of damp.

(he was round 10 mins and charged £160!)
many advice appreciated.

thanks

You've been had already !! If you're in Sussex I know a good firm.

 

[LydiaEdwardianHouse]

Thank you everyone! We have eight vents around the house however they are above the DPC outside into the cavity wall with a lower brick knocked out internally. I think a lot of the air is going up the cavity instead of down into the subfloor.
Had another guy yesterday who quoted £450 which seemed much more reasonable!! He reckons it’s active but doesn’t think we need more vents and just needs chemical treatment. I think we probably need both as don’t think the woodworm would be there in first place if the vents were doing their job.

Nige F, I actually am based in Sussex bizarrely!! Horsham. So if you can recommend anyone, that would be massively appreciated.
Thank you

 

[JohnD]

is it actually an Edwardian house? With cavity walls?

Some photos would be handy, of the airbricks and DPC, the lower part of the walls, and the woodworm traces.

stand back and give an idea of the ground level now, and anything that might have happened to raise it since the house was built. Sometimes this can be seen near a doorstep.

Include also photos of downpipes, drains and gullies near the house walls, and the ground or paving around them, especially if it is cracked, patched or sunken.

Do you have a water meter?

 

[LydiaEdwardianHouse]

Hi John,

best photos I can get attached. You can only see the air vent from the inside by angling your phone, not by sight. This is the only one we can get a pic of, others you can feel with your fingers if you reach around some odd spaces!

yes Edwardian.
Thanks

 

[JohnD]

OK, the airbricks look original, and not blocked. I'm not sure I can see a cavity wall.

The one you show does not show any damp signs.

the ground level has been raised by the thickness of the modern paving

Is there any damp near the kitchen or scullery floor, which are likely to be concrete with tile or granolithic topping?