Client: Domestic
Our client, a homeowner in Bristol, instructed Timberwise to carry out timber repairs on damage from a historic woodworm infestation within their home. This property was a detached house of solid stone construction, and was both occupied and furnished at the time of our inspection. The weather conditions were clear, with some snow and ice.
Challenges
During our survey, our inspection was limited to a visible infestation in a second-floor bedroom. It can be easy to think an infestation is contained within a certain area. However, many woodworm species are hardy and live deep-seated in wood. It is integral to investigate as wide an area as possible when assessing their potential disruption, as leaving a small pocket of an infestation can risk reinfestation once treatment has concluded.
Our investigation was also partially limited by the internal decorative finishes within the room. To treat an area thoroughly, some level of opening-up work may be required to ensure total eradication of the woodworm colony.
Observations
Our surveyor assessed the current condition of the second-floor bedroom. After a brief assessment, our surveyor confirmed a historic woodworm infestation within a ceiling rafter in the bedroom. A closer inspection of flight holes in the beam and frass (beetle waste) on the skirting board below the beam confirmed a previous infestation of Deathwatch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum).
Woodworm is a collective term for wood-boring beetles and weevils. Each of these species lives in and feeds from timber, growing from larvae within the wood to emerging beetles. Upon emerging, the beetles mate, continuing the cycle. If left unattended, woodworm can cause significant damage to the structural integrity of timber, rendering it prone to cracking and snapping.
Thankfully, in this case the infestation appeared to be historic, and no active larvae were noted on the surface of the wood. The damage was also limited to a single roof rafter, and after checking the other timber fixtures in the room, no further woodworm damage was identified. The timbers were also dry, which suggested that the environment around the woodworm infestation had changed, preventing it from growing and causing further damage.
Solutions
Though the infestation was inactive during our visit, it was deemed necessary to assess the timber more closely to ensure that the infestation did not recur. To do this, our technician removed a small section of plaster surrounding the base of the rafter. After exposing the rafter further and reassessing the damaged rafter, our technician decided that the best course of action would be to conduct localized treatment to ensure no further woodworm activity could take place.
To treat the rafter, our technician first cleared the remaining timber debris, removing any decayed timber until the remainder was sound. They then applied a specialist insecticidal timber treatment to the rafter. This would eradicate any remaining uncaught infestation, and also prevent a new infestation from taking root in the rafter.
Our technician also remedied any potential structural concerns by bolstering the rafter. To do this, they used an epoxy resin system at the base of the rafter. This is an ideal solution in period or heritage properties, as it can conserve the original fixtures rather than having to replace them with new materials.
Once the resin was dry and set, our technician finally replaced the material around the rafter. This included both a lime-based render coat as well as a skim coat to match the existing wall fabric within the room. Once dry, this could then be redecorated to our client’s specifications.
Results
Our client was delighted with the work completed by our technicians. They were especially pleased that the materials used were in keeping with the property and aimed to conserve the property as much as possible. They were also pleased with our surveyor for ensuring that their woodworm issue did not recur, as it could have led to structural failure of the rafter had the damage not been caught and repaired.
Do You Want Help with a Condensation Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in Bristol are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 0117 322 6512, or you can request a survey online.
