Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

Any info or recommendations would be so appreciated.

The other night I was in the kids room and noticed that in an area about 2 feet maybe from the wall there seems to suddenly be a dip in the floor. Like a ridge.

I'm not sure if something rotted out/termite damage or what. It doesn't feel "bouncy" or anything - like if I jump I can't feel any give there, but it just seems like it sunk. You can't really see it - it's just when you walk there, you can feel it. I might have felt it elsewhere in the room as well.
It's a pretty old house - 1950's I think.

Anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem - or who do I call to look at this? And/or any recommendations? Eastern Suffolk area - near Riverhead.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
I am so upset about this!

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

If the room on a slab of concrete, over a basement or on a second floor? Did you pick up the area of carpet there?

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

Hi. Thanks.
I believe it's over a concrete slab - there is a crawl space under the house, but I don't think it's under that room.
No, we haven't pulled up the carpet yet. I think I'm afraid of what we might find out.
And it's the kids room, so I don't know what we'll do with them when we have to start ripping stuff up.

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

We had an uneven floor under the carpet in our den. It was only when we ripped up the carpet that we figured out what was there. There were 2 different floors so they had to be evened out. One was asbestos so we left it and poured concrete to even it out. New carpeting, and now you can never tell.

Unless you plan on redoing the floor, I'd just leave it.

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

A concrete slab wouldn't really "dip" unless it was uneven to begin with when it was poured. I'm on a slab (no crawl space) and even when we've had water leaks the concrete slab is completely unaffected, only the flooring laid on top was compromised.

I wouldn't ignore it, if there is any kind of REAL problem you need to address that. Since it's the carpeting by the wall I would simply pull back the carpet enough to inspect underneath and see what you find. You can easily pull the carpet back into place onto the tacks yourself. You might find it's nothing at all or you may find a problem but ignoring the dip, IMO, is NOT the way to go. Good luck!

ETA - How old is the carpet?? Perhaps they didn't lay padding all the way to the walls. Or if the carpet is really old maybe some of the padding underneath is breaking down and that's why you're feeling uneven areas. Maybe you're having a moisture issue with the slab in that room. I would absolutely pull the carpet back and see what you're dealing with.

Message edited 9/25/2015 9:34:56 AM.

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

Thanks so much for the input!

It’s mostly annoying to pull up because there is a fairly heavy cabinet right at the wall but, we’ll have to try and see what is going on.
The carpet is almost 10 years old now – yikes, how did that happen?! I don't think it's missing padding because it's not right at the wall. And it seems like it kind of JUST happened - not like slowly eroding away.
Maybe we should just consider redoing the floor – I’ve always preferred carpet since I get cold so easily, but after living with it for this long, I think I’d rather go with hard wood for ease and durability – and because then the freaking cat wouldn’t ruin it! But the thought of construction in my house makes me so anxious!! It's a big enough disaster as it is!!!

So, I guess if there is a big issue, it’s a floor person I have to contact? Sometimes I just wish we were handy people who knew anything real about construction.

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

Posted by oneday

So, I guess if there is a big issue, it’s a floor person I have to contact? Sometimes I just wish we were handy people who knew anything real about construction.

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

You won't know for sure until you pull up the carpet. In my basement, I have an area against the wall, where there is a dip. I am pretty sure it's the spot where the sewer trap is, and the previous owners just carpeted over it. So maybe it's that?

Re: Possibly rotted subfloor/concrete under carpet? HELP!

Thanks.
We don't have sewers and our septic tank is in the back so I don't think it should have to do with anything like that.
We do need to just pull up the carpet - just got to find some time when we can keep the kids away and prepare myself for the worst.