Once you determine that you house has been attacked by termites, it is important to repair the damage as quickly as possible. Termites will eat almost anything made from wood and once they start feeding on your house, they will move to new objects and new wood as quickly as they can find it. This includes your furniture and any wood you have inside your home.
Of course, the first step is to stop the termite invasion. Do not try to repair the damage without making sure that all the termites are gone. Enlist the support of a professional termite control organization and remove the termites as quickly as possible. Take the time and the necessary effort to inspect your entire home for termites, do not concentrate on the damaged area only. You may also want to try and back track the termites path to determine how they found their way into your home and repair any areas that could allow the termites to return.
Wood that is in your home’s structure is going to be very difficult to repair. Usually you will find that the damaged wood is connected to other non-wood components that you can not or do not want to replace. While you may enjoy do-it-yourself home improvements, if you have termite damage it may be helpful to consult with a professional contractor to determine how to go about repairing the damage. A professional who has experience with termite repairs will be able to help you lay out a plan for repair.
If your termite damage is in wood that does not contain any utilities or carry the load of your structure, you may not need to replace the damaged wood. Instead of replacing the wood, you may be able to install a new piece of wood next to the damaged wood. In many areas this is an acceptable method of repair and meets the building code. Your contractor or building consultant should be able to provide you with the specific requirements for you area.
In some cases, the pipes and wires installed inside your walls will make reconstruction impossible. Many times termites will damage a floor joist that has plumbing pipes or electrical wires passing through them or along side of them. You may discover that demolition and remodeling the damaged areas will be the most cost effective answer to repair. Instead of having to spend time and money trying to fit new pieces of wood into the damaged area, demolition will allow you to take the entire area down and rebuild it. If you have always wanted to remodel a section of your home, and you need to repair termite damage, take advantage of your misfortune and build a new structure. It may sound like you will need to spend a lot more money for demolition and rebuilding, but that is not necessarily the truth.
Always keep safety in mind while doing repairs to your home. The wood in your house structure is supporting and creating that structure. Even though a section of wood may be damaged, that does not necessarily mean that it is not still bearing a load. You always need to support your structure during repairs and practice extreme caution during repairs. If you have any questions, consult a professional termite inspector.
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