If your floors are bouncing, dipping, or creaking in your Liverpool home, it can feel worrying — especially if the movement seems to be getting worse. While some noise is normal in older properties, excessive bounce can indicate hidden problems with the timber structure.
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we specialise in diagnosing timber defects, wet rot, woodworm, and subfloor ventilation issues — giving homeowners clear answers and long-term solutions.
This guide explains the main causes of floor movement and when you genuinely need a full timber survey.
🔍 Why Do Floors Bounce, Dip or Creak?
Several underlying issues can affect timber floors. Some are minor; others can become serious if not investigated.
1️⃣ Wet Rot in Floor Joists or Boards
Wet rot develops when timber stays damp for a long period, usually due to subfloor moisture or poor ventilation.
Common signs include:
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spongy floor areas
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cracked or softened joist ends
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dark staining
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a damp, musty smell
In Liverpool’s older terraced and semi-detached homes, wet rot around the wall plate and joist ends is especially common.
2️⃣ Wood-Boring Beetle Activity (Woodworm)
Woodworm can weaken floorboards and joists, making them flexible or noisy.
Signs include:
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tiny round holes
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brittle timber
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cracking or creaking under pressure
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fine dust (frass) beneath boards
Common Furniture Beetle is the most frequent culprit, but older Liverpool houses can also experience Deathwatch Beetle.
3️⃣ Subfloor Dampness
Moisture beneath the floor is one of the biggest causes of timber decay.
This may come from:
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failed DPM
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high external ground levels
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broken rainwater goods
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penetrating damp
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bridging at the wall base
If moisture isn’t controlled, timber begins to soften and sag, causing bounce.
4️⃣ Poor or Blocked Subfloor Ventilation
Suspended timber floors require airflow beneath them to stay healthy.
Ventilation may be restricted by:
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blocked air bricks
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raised ground levels
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extensions interrupting crossflow
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insulation obstructing airflow
Without ventilation, humidity builds up and timber deteriorates.
5️⃣ Age-Related Timber Movement
Some movement is normal, but if bounce increases, the cause should be checked.
🧰 Do You Need a Full Timber Survey?
A full survey is recommended when:
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the floor dips or feels springy
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creaking happens even under light weight
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soft patches are forming
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air bricks are missing or buried
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damp issues exist nearby
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woodworm holes are visible
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you cannot see joist ends without lifting boards
Our timber surveys include:
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moisture mapping
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subfloor ventilation checks
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joist end inspection
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probe testing
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decay or beetle identification
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photographic evidence
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clear remedial recommendations
This ensures the true cause is found — not guessed.
🛠️ How Weather Wise Fixes Timber Problems in Liverpool
Our CPD-qualified damp and timber specialists offer long-lasting solutions:
🔧 Timber Repairs & Replacement
Replacing weakened joists, plates, and floorboards with treated timber.
🌬️ Subfloor Ventilation Improvements
Installing:
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new air bricks
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telescopic vents
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restored cross-ventilation pathways
🐞 Woodworm Treatment
Using high-quality supplies from:
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PAM Ties – https://www.pamties.co.uk/
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Wycamol – https://wykamol.com/
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Builders Super Store
🌧️ Wet Rot Remedial Work
Identifying the moisture source, repairing defects, and replacing damaged timber.
💧 Damp-Proofing & Moisture Control
Ensuring the subfloor remains dry enough to protect timber long-term.
As accredited members of:
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Federation of Damp – https://federationofdamp.co.uk/
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Damp Proofing Association – https://www.dampproofingassociation.co.uk/
You can trust our work meets industry standards.
Eligible treatments include insurance-backed guarantees.