How to replace rotten skirting and particle board flooring?

[bennib0i]

Hi Bunnings,

I have pulled back my old carpet and skirting boards for a renovation for my 2nd story rooms, and found a rotten / moldy spot in one of the bedrooms.

I've scraped away the rotten brown bits (I didn't take a photo beforehand) and this is how it looks like now in the photos below showing the 2nd floor particle board and plasterboard.

I'm not sure what I'm looking at now, and what I should do before new skirts boards and new carpet is installed? So any advice would be appreciated. 

My best guess of the cause, would be some sort of spilt liquid that has sat there for some time. As I cannot see or find any other source of leak from the bedroom or behind the wall.

Thank you in advance.

   

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @bennib0i 

It does look like a spill and soak type of deal dosnt it. 

Does the area feel dry to the touch when you pulled up the carpet?

Has the particle board bubbled? And can you push a screwdriver into it?

If the area is dry, the floor hasnt bubbled and you cant push a screwdriver into the particle board then sand smooth for the skirting board, sand back the roughness for the particle board and paint as normal.

If its damp, spongy or you can push a screwdriver into it then its time to source the reason why its still dampoand to fix and replace the floorboards.

Dave

[MitchellMc]

It looks like the main concern here is the mould and rot on your particle board and plasterboard @bennib0i. As mentioned by @Dave-1, the key steps are to ensure the area is completely dry and any compromised material is removed and patched as necessary. As long as the particle board and plasterboard aren’t soft or spongy, there’s no structural issue, and the surface is fine to go ahead with installing new skirting and carpet. It’s just a cosmetic water stain, so no extra work is really needed.

Mitchell