If you’re selling a property in Congleton and have been told there is woodworm present, it can cause understandable concern. Many sellers assume that woodworm treatment is automatically required before a sale can proceed — but in reality, this is not always the case.
In many homes, visible woodworm holes are historic, meaning the activity occurred years ago and is no longer active. Treating historic woodworm unnecessarily can lead to avoidable costs and delays during the sale process.
At Weather Wise Solutions — a family-run damp and timber specialist — we regularly assess timber in homes being sold to determine whether treatment is genuinely required or if the timber is already dry, stable and sound.
🪵 Historic vs Active Woodworm – What Sellers Need to Know
1️⃣ Historic Woodworm (Common in Older Homes)
Historic woodworm is extremely common and usually shows:
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Old, clean exit holes
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No fresh frass (powdery dust)
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Firm, structurally sound timber
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No ongoing moisture source
Where these conditions exist, treatment is often not necessary, particularly if moisture levels are controlled.
2️⃣ Active Woodworm Infestation
Active woodworm is far less common and usually requires:
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Fresh frass beneath exit holes
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New holes appearing over time
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Elevated timber moisture levels
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Ongoing damp or ventilation issues
Without moisture, most wood-boring beetles cannot continue their lifecycle.
💧 Why Moisture Matters When Selling
Woodworm activity is closely linked to timber moisture content. High moisture levels caused by damp, condensation or poor ventilation create the conditions wood-boring insects need to survive.
During a sale, surveyors are often more concerned with:
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Whether the timber is dry
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Whether the infestation is active
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Whether moisture issues have been addressed
Controlling moisture is often more important than treatment alone.
🔍 How We Assess Woodworm in Congleton Properties
Our timber inspections follow PCA-aligned methodology and include:
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Inspection of exit hole characteristics
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Checking for fresh frass or larvae indicators
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Moisture testing of affected timbers
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Assessment of ventilation and damp risk
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Confirmation of historic vs active status
This provides clarity for sellers and reassurance for buyers.
🛠️ When Treatment Is (and Isn’t) Required Before a Sale
✔ Treatment May Be Required If:
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Active infestation is confirmed
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Timbers remain damp
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Structural elements are affected
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Moisture cannot be controlled
❌ Treatment Is Often Not Required If:
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Activity is historic
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Timbers are dry and sound
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No fresh frass is present
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Moisture sources have been resolved
Where materials are required, we use trusted suppliers including:
🔗 PAM Ties – https://www.pamties.co.uk/
🔗 Wykamol Group – https://wykamol.com/
All advice and works follow guidance from:
🔗 Federation of Damp – https://federationofdamp.co.uk/
🔗 Damp Proofing Association – https://www.dampproofingassociation.co.uk/
For additional reassurance, you can also view our independent profiles on:
🔗 TrustATrader – https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/weather-wise-solutions-limited-damp-surveyor-newcastle-under-lyme
🔗 Checkatrade – https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/weatherwisesolutionslimited
**Woodworm doesn’t automatically stop a sale.
Correct diagnosis prevents unnecessary treatment and delays.**
📍 Book a free survey:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact