Carpet rotten

Causes

Cladding leak

High subfloor moisture levels

Leakage (pipes) or overflow, or leaking from damaged or incorrectly installed shower tray or bath

Hole in the concrete slab damp-proof membrane 

Listed under: Interior, concrete and cement, fixtures and fittings, floor coverings, carpet, membranes, plumbing, pipes, Subfloor, cladding, floors, moisture, baths, showers, leaks, weathertightness

Cause

Cladding leak

Repair

  • address the cause of the leak and make permanent repairs. Where the cause of the leak is difficult to identify or the leaks seem extensive, call an experienced building surveyor to investigate

  • remove rotten carpet and any wet underlay. Allow floor to dry completely

  • install new flooring

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Cause

High subfloor moisture levels

Repair

  • identify the cause of the subfloor moisture and address it. If it is caused by a leaking pipe, make a repair, or call a licensed or certifying plumber to repair it. Work on waste pipes and drains must by law be carried out by a licensed or certifying plumber

  • if surface water is flowing under the house, lower the ground levels around the building and slope the ground away from the house. Install channels or sub-surface drains and discharge into a stormwater drain or soak pit 

  • lay polythene sheeting at least 0.25 mm thick to cover the ground under the house. Ensure that the ground is shaped so no water accumulates on the polythene. Polythene sheets should be lapped a minimum of 150 mm, preferably taped, and butted up to foundation walls and piles. Weigh down the sheets with bricks or concrete to avoid them being displaced by air movement

  • improve subfloor ventilation

  • remove rotten carpet and any wet underlay. Allow floor to dry completely

  • install new flooring

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Cause

Leakage (pipes) or overflow, or leaking from damaged or incorrectly installed shower tray or bath

Repair

  • identify the cause of leakage. Make a permanent repair, or call a licensed or certifying plumber to make repairs

  • remove rotten carpet and any wet underlay. Allow floor to dry completely

  • install new flooring

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Cause

Hole in the concrete slab damp-proof membrane 

Repair

  • lift the carpet – apply a specialist damp-proof coating to the exposed concrete 

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