Punky beams (flooring, load, damage, replace)

[old_cold]

Damp cellar, ignored for some years and supporting beams that are slightly punky on the bottoms.
How serious? Able to be saved? OK if the damp conditions are improved? Or stay away from this house unless they are replaced?
Flooring visible between the floor joists, by the way, seems unaffected and solid.

[ocngypz]

Punky? As in rotted???????

Either pass or fix.

[harry chickpea]

Impossible to know from that description. Could be cosmetic with just the first 1/8th to 1/4" involved, or could go deeper. Find one that has a minimal load on it and probe or cut. Look for insect damage as well. Carpenter ants in particular like wood that is punky.