A damp, stagnant subfloor feeds musty smells, mould, rot and termites. We assess the moisture problem, design the right mix of vents and fans, wire it with our own electricians, and repair any timber the damp has already damaged.
Homes with suspended timber floors rely on air moving through the subfloor to carry moisture away. Over time, vents get blocked by garden beds and paving, extensions and decks cut off airflow, and drainage changes send more water under the house. The subfloor turns humid and stagnant.
That moisture doesn't stay down there. It rises into the house as musty smells and mould on walls, wardrobes and furniture. Underneath, it rots bearers, joists and floorboards and creates exactly the conditions termites look for. Good subfloor ventilation keeps the space dry and stops all of that at the source.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing existing vents | Remove blockages from garden beds, paving and debris | Mild problems where vents exist but are covered |
| Additional passive vents | New vent openings to improve natural cross-flow | Subfloors with too few vents but open airflow paths |
| Mechanical fan system | Fans and ducting create forced cross-flow, exhausting damp air | Closed-in subfloors, extensions, low clearance, persistent damp |
| Drainage improvements | Redirect stormwater and surface water away from the subfloor | Pooling water or wet soil under the house |
Most effective systems combine more than one. We design around your subfloor's layout, clearance and moisture source rather than installing a standard kit.
Moisture readings, airflow, vents, drainage and timber condition.
Vent and fan layout matched to the subfloor.
Vents cut, fans and ducting installed, wired by our electricians.
Rotten bearers, joists or boards replaced.
System tested and set up.
A subfloor fan system needs building work (vent openings in brickwork, ducting, fan mounting), electrical work (a power supply, switching, timers or humidity control) and often carpentry to replace damp-damaged timber. Many ventilation installers subcontract the electrical or leave the timber for someone else.
We do all three in-house. Our licensed electricians wire the system and issue compliance certificates, and our carpenters replace damaged bearers, joists and floorboards. If stumps have failed, see restumping.
A damp subfloor often goes hand in hand with rising damp in walls. Fixing one without the other can leave you with lingering damp. We assess both and recommend what's needed.
Book a subfloor inspection. We'll find where the moisture is coming from and design the right fix.
We'll call to arrange a time.