What might be happening
A hose connection, waste standpipe or slow appliance leak can escape notice for some time.
Water can find its way beneath a floor or behind a fitted unit without leaving a dramatic stain. By the time the damage becomes visible, the leak may have been there for some time.
What you can look for
Pull the appliance out safely, isolate services where necessary and examine the floor below and nearby joists.
You do not need to start taking the building apart yourself. If access is difficult, ask the person inspecting it to explain what needs to be opened up and why. Photographs of hidden defects are useful, especially when you are comparing quotations.
Putting it right
Correct the leak and dry the structure before repairing unsound timber.
Be wary of a quotation that deals only with the damaged wood and says nothing about the water or building defect behind it. Once the cause has been dealt with, the remaining timber can be checked and the necessary repairs planned.
When to call someone in
Electrical appliances and pooled water are a hazardous combination; isolate power safely.
A carpenter or joiner may be right for a local timber repair. If the problem involves a leak, you may need a plumber or roofer first. Where supporting timbers have moved, sagged or seriously weakened, get advice from someone qualified to assess the structure.
Questions worth asking
- Can the leak be traced and stopped before the floor is repaired?
- What is happening to the timber out of sight?
- How will the area be dried and checked before it is covered again?