Wood is a favorite food for termites, and the pests will squeeze, fly, and build tunnels to get to a new source of cellulose. Damage from termites to a home’s structure is the most serious, and you won’t notice anything amiss until your home begins to crumble. Termite damage is difficult to detect because it occurs over a long period, and the damage is usually extensive when it is discovered. The homeowner must arm themselves with knowledge at this point, regardless of where or how much structural damage there is. This includes damage to floors, ceilings, foundations, and walls. Get help from experts, ask questions, and choose the best options for your family’s well-being.
Structural Damage
In the event of structural damage, there are two options: you can either fix it yourself or have it fixed for you. Structural damage repairs necessitate the use of new wood. Beams must be supported on either side, and pressure-treated wood must be installed in its place.
To provide support for non-structural repairs, new cut pieces of wood can be attached to damaged ones. Brace two pieces of wood on either side of the damaged board with a pressure-treated board after treating the damaged wood.
Laminate Floor Damage
You can’t save laminate flooring that has been damaged; it has to be completely replaced. On the other hand, laminate wood flooring is not real wood flooring. Compared to hardwood flooring, laminate floors are made of 75 percent recycled materials, so they do not attract termites.
A squeak can be heard when you walk across a laminate floor damaged by termites. The damage appears as water spots, blistering and sagging. An inspector will examine sub-floors and supports beneath the laminate to look for termite damage; these are the most likely places for this damage to occur. The laminate flooring must be removed to fix the problem.
Ceiling Damage
A drywood termite colony can be established in the ceiling, but Formosan and Subterranean termites may also be responsible. When you first notice signs of termite damage, such as water damage and sagging, the damage to your ceiling is likely to be extensive. The length of time the termites have been there, and the type of material used in the ceiling will also be factors considered by your inspector.
If you see damage to the ceiling, the roof, interior walls, or the structure that supports the ceiling have also been affected. Termites can go unnoticed for years if a home’s roof has loose shingles, leaks around the fireplace, or unattended eaves or fascia where they can settle and establish a colony.
Foundation Damage
Subterranean termites can use any crack or crevice in the foundation to gain entry and cause damage to the structure. Even though they don’t eat concrete or brick, these pests can get into your house through cracks in the foundation. With the help of the tunnels they’ve dug, termites can get to their food by crawling up and down the foundation and through the home’s floor joists.
To avoid attracting termites, it is best to have a concrete foundation with wood close to it. With crawlspaces, pier-and-beam foundations provide termites with an easy meal that sits in the soil. When they move in, they stay.
Carpet Damage
When termites infest your carpet, it’s a sign that your subfloor, baseboards, carpet pad, and tack strips are at risk, too. Take immediate action if you see any indications of an infestation in your carpeting or underlayment. After reading this guide, you should be able to figure out where the termites got in and what kind of termites they are. After all, knowledge is power. Call a termite specialist to conduct an inspection and provide treatment recommendations if you haven’t already done so. Carpets with small holes are a sure sign that termites are scouting the area for food.
Older carpets and rugs may still contain cellulose fibers, once the predominant material used to make carpets. Modern carpet is made of 5th generation synthetic nylon. This material is less expensive, holds up better to use and clean, is softer to the touch, and regulates temperature. It has been used in carpet manufacturing for many years.
Wall Damage
Tiny pinholes, faint lines, or bubbling paint on the wall surface are all signs of termite damage. Unless you live in a blockhouse, termites feed on the cellulose lining found in drywall and sheetrock. Wooden studs that have been pressure-treated support the walls, but if there is a leak, the treated wood, and your walls will become an even more enticing meal for termites.
Thin walls in homes make them particularly vulnerable, and if the wall in question is a load-bearing one that supports the roof or a second floor, the repairs can become prohibitively expensive. Your contractor will begin opening up the wall at the location of the most obvious damage. Once the wall is opened, and the damage is discovered, it will be impossible to estimate how much damage has been done.
Fixing Termite Damage
To repair damage from drywood termites, it may only be necessary to replace a single piece of furniture; however, it may be more difficult if a whole structural beam has been damaged. Two years is all it takes for a Formosan termite (subterranean) to inflict significant damage on your home.
To ensure the safety of their home, the owner must make the necessary repairs following the inspection and treatment. Avoid re-infestation by working with your termite control professional to ensure it is under control and taking their recommended preventative measures.
When an infestation goes unchecked for a long period, the damage to a home can be irreparable. Repair or replace any wood damaged by termites living in your home – get estimates and show your chosen contractor the termite inspection report. This report will assist your contractor in providing you with a fair estimate of repair costs.
Wood siding, drywall, hardwood floors, window, door frames, and around the chimney, eave, and fascia can all be damaged by termites in a home.