Structural Termite Damage & Floor Joist Repair in Hampton Roads.
A floor that sags underfoot or a WDIR inspection that flags structural wood damage means the framing beneath you has been compromised. We eliminate the colony, protect the timber, and rebuild the load-bearing joists and sill plates — all under one roof.
- Active subterranean colony eliminated first
- Protective borate salt wood treatment
- Joists sistered or replaced in pressure-treated lumber
- Real estate & WDIR fast-track
Sagging Floors Point to Weakened Framing
What you're noticing
- A floor that dips, feels bouncy, or springs underfoot in one area.
- A WDIR or real estate inspection report flagging wood-destroying insect damage.
- Joists or sill plates that look blistered, hollow, or crumble when probed.
- Mud tubes climbing the foundation or framing in the crawl space.
What it means structurally
- Subterranean termites have hollowed the wood from the inside, often behind an intact surface.
- The affected members can no longer carry the load the house was framed to distribute.
- If the colony is still active, the damage is ongoing and spreading to sound timber.
- A lender will want the activity cleared and the framing restored before a sale can close.
Clearing a Lender Inspection Before Closing
When a wood-destroying insect report turns up damage, a deal can stall fast — the lender wants the activity resolved and the structure sound before money changes hands, and the clock is usually short. Splitting that across a termite company and a separate carpenter is how closings slip.
Because we handle the treatment and the structural repair in-house, buyers and sellers get a single point of contact who can eliminate the colony, document the treatment, and restore the framing on one coordinated timeline. We tell you plainly what a lender needs cleared and work to that deadline.
One company for treatment and repair
Most homeowners are surprised that the same team eliminating the termites can also sister the joists and replace the sill plates. Keeping it under one roof means no finger-pointing between the pest side and the repair side — and no second mobilization to schedule while your floor waits.
Schedule Your Free Termite & Damage Assessment
24/7 Immediate Response for all of the 757 — or call (757) 502-0200
Eliminate, Treat, Then Restore the Load Path
Restoring framing while termites are still feeding just gives them new wood. We work in strict order so the repair lasts.
1. Eliminate the Colony
We locate and eliminate the active subterranean termite colony first, so the framing is being repaired against a threat that's already been stopped.
2. Borate Salt Treatment
We apply a protective borate salt treatment to the timber, guarding the sound wood and the new members against future wood-destroying insects and fungus.
3. Sister & Reinforce
We sister sound boards alongside the damaged joists, replace members too far gone with pressure-treated lumber, and add adjustable steel jack posts where the span needs support — restoring the subfloor's load capacity.
Everything This Solution Draws On
Structural termite repair combines colony control, wood protection, and framing support. Explore the pieces, or let us scope the whole job in one quote.
Termite Treatment
Eliminating the active subterranean colony — the mandatory first step before any framing is repaired.
Learn moreTermite Damage Repair
Sistering, replacing, and reinforcing the joists and sill plates that termites have weakened.
Learn moreUni-Jack Floor Support
Adjustable steel jack posts that add supplemental support where a span has lost load capacity.
Learn moreWood Fungus Treatment
Treating the rot fungus that often accompanies termite damage in a damp crawl space.
Learn moreReal Estate Termite Inspection
The WDIR inspection buyers, sellers, and lenders rely on to document activity before closing.
Learn moreFree Termite Inspection
Not selling yet? Start with a free inspection to find out whether the activity is still live.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
My real estate WDIR inspection flagged wood damage — what happens next?
We come out, confirm whether the termite activity is still active, and lay out exactly what a lender needs to see cleared. Because we handle both the treatment and the structural repair, a buyer or seller can get the colony eliminated and the damaged framing restored under one company instead of chasing separate contractors before closing.
Why does my floor feel bouncy or sag in one spot?
A soft, springy, or dipping floor usually means the joist or subfloor beneath it has lost strength — often because subterranean termites hollowed the wood from the inside while the surface still looked intact. The framing can no longer carry its load the way it was built to, so the floor gives underfoot.
Do you kill the termites before repairing the wood?
Always. Repairing framing while a colony is still active just gives the termites fresh lumber to eat, so the treatment comes first and the carpentry follows in order:
- Eliminate the active subterranean colony.
- Apply a protective borate salt treatment to the timber.
- Reinforce or replace the damaged members.
What does 'sistering' a joist mean?
Sistering fastens a new, sound board alongside a damaged joist so the two share the load and the floor regains its stiffness. It is one of a few ways we restore weakened framing:
- Sister a new board alongside a joist that still has some strength left.
- Replace a member that is too far gone with pressure-treated lumber.
- Add adjustable steel jack posts where the span needs extra support.
Is structural termite repair something SmartPay can cover?
Yes. SmartPay's financing applies to termite treatments, baiting, and repairs, so you can get the colony eliminated and the framing restored right away and spread the cost over time rather than waiting on the damage.
Inspection 24/7
Service Now, Pay Later with SmartPay
A termite problem won't wait for payday — and now your treatment doesn't have to either. SmartPay lets you protect your home today and spread the cost over time, with $0-down options on any termite treatment, inspection, or repair.
- $0-down payment options
- Simple, predictable monthly payments
- Available on termite treatments, baiting, and repairs
Protect Your Whole Home
For One Monthly Price.
Structural repair is one part of keeping a home sound. The same local family behind your joist repair — Universal Pest & Termite, Universal Insulation Doctor, and Universal Duct Cleaning — can protect the crawl space that let the termites in and keep the framing dry going forward.
What Hampton Roads homeowners get:
Quarterly Pest Control — Every Plan
Year-round defense against ants, roaches, rodents, spiders & 20+ other invaders — the foundation of every plan.
Attic & Crawlspace Care — Pro
Pro adds yearly attic & crawlspace inspections plus Sentricon® termite protection around your home.
Air Duct & Dryer Vent Cleaning — Elite
Elite adds yearly duct and dryer vent cleaning for cleaner air and healthier airflow through every room.
Essential (Border-Guard) Pest Control Plan
Quarterly service, paid monthly to keep the cost manageable — no big bill all at once.
Choose your plan — Essential, Pro or Elite — and save.
- Quarterly service for ants, roaches, rodents, spiders & 20+ other general invaders
- Free emergency return visits in between regularly scheduled services — at no additional charge
- Propell rodent repellent exterior treatmentsIncluded now — normally a $75 per-service add-on
- All-natural products at no additional cost (upon request)
- Bed bug monitoring
- Pet-friendly treatments
- Cancel anytime — no long-term contracts
- 4.8★ Google-rated local team
Get the Colony Out and the Floor Solid
Book a free termite and damage assessment. We'll confirm whether the activity is active, tell you exactly what a lender needs cleared, and give you one plan for treatment and repair.
Ready to protect your home?
Call now or request a free quote online. Same-day service often available.
How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies
Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.
| What to compare | Universal Pest Control | Most pest control companies |
|---|---|---|
| UniGuard ProgramExclusive | Universal Pest Control Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together. | Most pest control companies Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of. |
| SmartPay financingExclusive | Universal Pest Control $0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments. | Most pest control companies Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender. |
| Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive | Universal Pest Control Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original. | Most pest control companies Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material. |
| Total Home Health Network | Universal Pest Control Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order. | Most pest control companies Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines. |
| A+ BBB rating | Universal Pest Control BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community. | Most pest control companies Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone. |
| 26+ years in business | Universal Pest Control Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced. | Most pest control companies Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common. |
| Family owned & operated | Universal Pest Control Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors. | Most pest control companies Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area. |
| Guarantees in writing | Universal Pest Control Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service. | Most pest control companies Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract. |
The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.