Termite damaged wood, Bay Area, CA - Pest Control Services

The Nightmare of Termite Damage

The statistics tell a horror story- over five billion dollars worth of termite damage occurs in homes and businesses across the United States each year. And because termites live underground or inside the wood, homeowners often don’t realize they have an infestation until significant damage has occurred. If your home is part of that damage, the nightmare is much more personal. What can you do when termites have wreaked havoc on your home? Is wood repair an option, or do you have to entirely replace it? We have the answers you need regarding repair and replacement options.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

If you see swarming termites, you probably already have a well-established termite colony on your property. Termites only swarm in their reproductive phase, when they leave home looking for a good site for a new colony, and they don’t travel far to find it. However, there are also signs you will notice in the home itself. It might look like you have water damage, or you might notice bubbling or peeling paint. There may be mud tunnels on your home’s interior or exterior walls, in which termites are traveling from their colony into your home. Maze-like designs in wood indicate termites, and so do buckling floors, or wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it. Unfortunately, by the time you see these signs, the damage may be fairly significant. Before beginning any repairs, it is necessary to have a full damage assessment performed by a licensed termite professional, to determine whether the termites have compromised the structural integrity of your home.

Dealing with Termite Damage

If a termite infestation is left untreated for many years, the damage done to the house may be irreparable. In most cases, though, termite activity will be discovered before the damage is beyond repair. The question then becomes whether to repair the wood or replace it entirely. Of course, whichever route you decide to go, you will need to eradicate all traces of termites before moving on to any restoration techniques. Repairing a termite-infested home without getting rid of the termites is like pouring water into a leaky bucket. In most cases, repairing wood is simpler and less expensive than replacing it. You will need expert advice, though, to determine if wood restoration is possible.

Repairing Termite Damage

Some types of termite damage repair are not expensive or difficult to perform. Fixing things like wood or wall discoloration, chipping or peeling paint, or damaged drywall is not out of the reach of many homeowners. If you need to repair holes in wood, you can use wood fillers or hardeners to fill in the gaps, then sand the area smoothly and apply sealant for a protective finish. Make sure you are using the right product for your particular space, though, because wood filler can crack if the environment is humid. In cases where filling the gap won’t fix the damage, it may be necessary to add the support of new wood to fortify the damaged section. If it is structural, you will need a professional to come and assess which restoration techniques are necessary to make the area sound again.

Replacing Termite-Damaged Wood

In cases in which the damage is extensive, particularly when it’s structural, the wood will need to be replaced. To do this, you will need to take it down to the studs, evict any termites in the remaining wood, clean the remaining wood thoroughly, and then replace the wood that was too badly damaged for repair. Remember, the quality of your repair, even if you are going all out and replacing the wood, will depend on the knowledge and expertise of the person repairing. It is wise to leave this to professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with termite infestation because if even some termites are left behind, you are likely to have a new infestation very quickly after your repairs are complete.

Prevention Is the Best Cure

This may seem like cold comfort when you already have termite damage, but being proactive at preventing infestations is the best way to control termites. Even if you already have damage, you will want to take preventative control measures, to reduce your chances of another infestation and more repairs. Seal any gaps or cracks in your foundation or exterior walls, and improve the grading and drainage around your home to keep moisture away from your foundation. Termites need moisture, so keeping the area around your home dry and repairing any plumbing leaks promptly will go a long way toward preventing termite encroachment. Keep plants, shrubs, and trees trimmed back from your home’s surfaces, keep your gutters and downspouts clean and well-maintained, and never store wood against your home’s walls. It’s best to keep wooden components like siding and door and window frames from touching the ground and keep mulch from touching your house. Most importantly, have regular termite inspections and work with a professional termite exterminator to keep your home free from termites and the damage they cause.

Contact MightyMite Termite Services for Help

Don’t wait until your home is damaged by termites! Be proactive about pest control and call the termite control professionals at MightyMite Termite Services to defend your property against termites. At MightyMite, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home is free of termites and work hard to help you keep it that way, using treatments that are naturally derived and have a low impact on the environment. We diagnose and treat infestations with the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry-best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience and highly trained, licensed and professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We understand that your home is your most important investment, so we work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve our customers’ termite problems. For more information, email Info@mightymitetermite.com, call us today at 408.335.7053, or contact us through our website.