Termites are small and can invade your home without you knowing. In most cases, they will burrow through the soil around your home to get to your foundations. These tunnels help to keep the termites moist, allowing them to establish a nest under your home and start eating your wood.
An average-sized colony can consume six inches of standard 2×4 wood in just five months. As they can go for extended periods without being detected and you can have more than one colony under your home, it is easy to see they can cause significant damage.
It’s estimated that the average cost of repairing damage caused by a termite infestation is $3,000 but it can be significantly more depending on what damage has been caused. It’s important to note that most standard household insurance policies don’t cover termite damage.
Repairing termite damage is estimated to cost $5 billion per year. The best way to prevent or reduce the amount of damage done is to look for pest control near me and have a regular inspection. This will help to identify any issues early before they do serious damage.
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Damage Caused By Termites
If you’re wondering how termites can cause so much damage it is simply because they eat wood and wood is an essential part of most homes. In some cases, it will be the structural wood that gives the house strength. This is normal for wood-framed houses. In other cases, the wood is more cosmetic but the damage still needs to be sorted.
Before you can deal with the damage caused by termites it is essential that they are eliminated. Although you can get DIY treatments it is usually faster and more effective to get the professionals to do it.
The common signs of a termite infestation include:
- Holes in wood
- Soft wood
- Bubbling paint
- Warped floorboards
- Termite sightings
Repairing the Damage
The good news is that it is rare for termites to cause enough damage that the building needs to be demolished. They would have to be living there undetected for a long period.
The usual approach to dealing with termite damaged wood is to cut the damaged section out and replace it. This ensures the strength and integrity of the wood are maintained.
However, it is difficult to access the damaged wood or unsafe to cut it out, it is possible to brace the wood instead. This usually involves placing a fresh piece of wood on both sides of the damaged section. It will attach to the good wood above and below the damaged section, effectively strengthening and supporting the structure.
Monitoring For Termites
The best approach, alongside regular pest inspections, is to stop termites from getting into your home. One of their favourite routes is through the soil around your home. Simply create a concrete ledge, several inches deep and six inches wide around your home. This will deprive the termites of easy access.
Of course, you should also seal up any other gaps you find.
