What are these holes

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:50 pm

I've just had some oak skirting delivered and there are some holes (circled) in the planks that don't seem to have been caused by nails IMO.

Could this be wood worm, if so, is it safe to use this wood

marc1106 · Post by **marc1106** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:52 pm

they do look like worm bores! couldnt tell you if its old or fresh though!

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:12 pm

Is this something I need to worry about i.e should I take it back to the timber merchants ?

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:15 pm

That does look very much like the woodworm holes I have in my house, except I would have expected more holes (in all my woodworm there many more boreholes and a lot closer together)

joiner_uk · Post by **joiner_uk** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:41 pm

That timber definately needs exchanging because of the holes. Chances are slim that woodworm is inside but you never know!

Here is some useful info on woodworm

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:44 pm

Thanks for the info.

The holes generally appear at the end of the lengths so I may be able to cut off this area. I'll have to inspect the longer lengths a little closer.

carhartt kid · Post by **carhartt kid** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:58 pm

Take it back!!! Theres no way I would risk introducing wood boring beetle or wood worm to my house or any job I do!

I've had plenty of wood delivered over the years that looks like this. I send it back every time! Don't accept any excuses like "oh, its been treated" or "it comes in to us like that" or "its perfectly natural" or "The bugs get killed when its kiln dried" BULLCRAP

Give TRADA a call for specialist advice! Most suppliers accredited by them, so they're always interested to hear about companies spreading parasites!

http://www.trada.co.uk/index.html

You wouldn't buy a brand new car off the forecourt of a main dealer, with rust all over it would you!!

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:02 pm

sh*t

Cheers CK

If I cut off the areas where the holes are what are the chances that the beetles are still within the remaining wood. I've actually cut off the offending parts as off cuts, as well as cutting the lengths down to size so I can acclimatise the wood in the relevant room so I may have issues in taking it back

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:05 pm

Just tell them you only noticed the holes after you made the cuts!

carhartt kid · Post by **carhartt kid** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:14 pm

No panic skiking.

Option 1.
Take it back and say you cut it up and during this you found the worm holes! Stamp your feet and growl till they replace it and give you a huge discount. They hate it when you do this and there are other customers about. Try and take it back when thay are really busy!

Option 2.
Just run over the pieces you have cut with a hoover or dyson etc to find any holes you missed. You can cover your back by either getting some woodworm or beetle treatment like Cuprinol woodworm killer. Slop a load on the unseen sides of the timber and just one coat on the front. It will change the appearance a bit. A bit like oiling it or staining it. But if you're going to give it a finish then this won't matter.

I'd take it back personally!

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:25 pm

TBH its not the beetles I'm worried about, its my dodgy plastering

I'll inspect closely tomorrow and decide then but the timber merchants I used are quite good but it was a third party company that made the skirting for me

and it wasn't cheap

carhartt kid · Post by **carhartt kid** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:33 pm

Even more of a reason to give them a call!! Best of luck!