Termite Damaged Floor Joist Repair

If termites have damaged part of a joist that supports your floor, the first thing you need to do is get rid of the infestation by calling in a professional pest controller. The damage must then be repaired because the joists in question support your floor and cannot have their integrity compromised in any way. Installing a "sister" joist alongside an existing joist is the standard method for restoring the lost structural integrity caused by the aging of the original joist. This method is effective for a joist that has been partially eaten through but is not completely rotted through and has not yet begun to sag. In all other cases, seek the assistance of a qualified professional.

Why do floor joists deteriorate over time?

The rot in your wood is caused by a specific kind of fungal growth that weakens the load-bearing capacity and structural integrity of your floor joists. Before it begins to grow in high-humidity environments like the crawl space of your home, the fungus that causes dry rot starts out as a spore.

Are termites a potential threat to the floor joists in your home?

If they are, and the level of damage is not too severe, you might be able to make the necessary repairs on your own. By performing the work on your own, you will be able to save a significant amount of money. Making repairs of this nature is a significant undertaking. There won't be much in the way of supplies that you will require, so you shouldn't worry too much about that. The most important consideration in this case will be time. If this is your first time attempting to repair a floor joist that has been damaged by termites, you might want to think about asking a friend who is experienced in doing work of this kind to come over and give you a hand.

In an older home, how do you go about replacing the floor joists?

When it's absolutely necessary, use the reciprocating saw to cut through the nails. Take apart the old joist until it can be taken out of the area where the project is taking place in its entirety. On the top face of the new joist, run a bead of construction adhesive along the length of the joist. Using the assistance of a companion, roughly position the new joist in its intended location.

How can one determine whether or not a floor joist has rotted away?

The warning signs that the floor joists have been damaged wood are that it's wet and rotting. The door and window frames are crooked or not level. The upstairs floor may also be sagging, sloping, or uneven. 

How can you sister a floor joist that has rotted?

The process of joist sistering involves attaching an additional floor joist of the same kind to an existing floor joist that is either damaged or inadequate using either screws or nails. It is an extremely efficient method for adding the additional strength that is required to hold up a floor that has sagged.