this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2023
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Woodworking

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Hi, I am new here, so I want to apologize if I mess something up. I have the following problem...

I am restoring a division in my house. It's a high ceilling area, with wooden beams supporting a hardwood floor that divides the space into a dining room (lower) and an office (upper).

My father thought the wood was in good shape, so he replaced the hardwood floor above the beams. Afterward, his plan was to apply protection to prevent woodworms and then oil for the finishing touch. But, upon closer inspection, I noticed all the wooden beams have these small holes (which I suppose are woodworms already).

Also, I knocked on the wood, and it seems hollow.

Should I replace all the wooden beams and then reapply the hardwood floor? Is there any way to recover these beams?

Thanks in advance.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Unfortunately, I can't make that call from the one pic, but I would be surprised if that ratio of holes resulted in a hollowed beam. Termites, sure, but not woodworm.

Ultimately, if you won't sleep well with the old wood in place, then there's your answer.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Well, I will be putting workbenches with lab power supply, oscilloscope, desktop, monitor, etc... on top of that floor. I would not want to get home one day, and have everything in the dining room from a collapsed floor. But I see what you mean...