Structural Termite Damage Repair

Homeowners pay a lot of attention to termites, but the truth is that commercial properties are often extremely susceptible to termite damage as well. Termites can eat away at wood in a variety of ways. Termite damage to the structure of your place of business that was caused by termites should never be taken lightly. Standard homeowner's insurance policies do not typically cover a significant portion of this damage. Infestations caused by termites are frequently not discovered until the visible signs of damage become apparent.

Where is the majority of the damage caused by termites?

Termites can do damage not only to the wood that makes up the structure of your home but also to the areas around the windows and doors. Severe infestations can even cause damage to the interior of your home, including the walls and any wooden furniture that may be there.

How to prevent structural damage caused by termites?

Common signs of a termite infestation include traces of dust that is similar to dust, sagging ceilings and floors, areas that look as if they have been slightly damaged by water, and piles of wings that resemble scales. Damage caused by termites can be easily avoided by adhering to a treatment and inspection schedule on a consistent basis, but it is unusual for the damage caused by termites to result in the collapse of a structure.  The areas that are more likely to have an infestation are the ones that are damp, have woodpiles, and have loose wooden paneling. You can take action to address such dangers to assist in warding off an infestation of termites. 

What kind of damage can termites do to a hollow sound?

A hollow sound is one of the telltale signs of termite damage. When termites eat wood, they leave behind hollow spots in the baseboards, floors, and even the walls that are nearby. When listening for a hollow sound in the wood, your termite inspector will most likely tap on it. This will be helpful in determining whether or not there is an infestation of termites that is hidden from view. Wood filler is a product that can be used to repair minor scratches and gouges in hardwood floors such as oak. After the holes have been filled and the filler has had a chance to dry, the surface can be sanded, and then it can be stained or sealed. Replace on a regular basis any oak boards that have been weakened by termite infestation.

What signs should you look for to determine whether you have drywood termites or subterranean termites?

The presence of frass is one of the most common indicators that a drywood termite infestation is present. Waste material produced by termites is referred to as "frass." Drywood termites, on the other hand, do not require this material because they only excavate tunnels in wood. This is in contrast to subterranean termites, which use feces to construct nests and tunnels for foraging.

Does termite damage look like water damage?

Damage caused by termites can typically be differentiated from that caused by water by examining the grain pattern and overall appearance of the ruined wood. Water damage causes the wood to darken and is typically accompanied by an odor that is described as musty or moldy, whereas termite damage results in the surface of the wood having wavy grooves and giving the appearance that it has been hollowed out.