Every year, homeowners around Charlotte discover that their home’s crawlspace has been invaded by pest such as termites, beetles, carpenter ants and other insects that can thrive on dark, damp...

Every year, homeowners around Charlotte discover that their home’s crawlspace has been invaded by pest such as termites, beetles, carpenter ants and other insects that can thrive on dark, damp areas and wood.  These tiny bugs can do a huge amount of damage to your home, and in most cases you may be completely unaware of the problem until it’s too late to do anything other than rebuild the structure! In fact, statistics show that approximately 1 in 30 homes are infested by termites, but that it may be as many as 8 years before the damage is actually discovered! If you suspect you have crawlspace bug damage, act now!

 

IDENTIFYING AN INSECT DAMAGED CRAWLSPACE

Because the pests that cause crawlspace damage are both small and silent, it can be easy to overlook their existence until it is too late. However, there are some signs to watch for, so you can take early actions. These clues include:

• Take a screwdriver and knock on the wood in various areas of your home. If you hear a hollow sound, there is a good chance you have been invaded.
• Watch for any small holes in plaster or drywall as they will sometimes bore tiny holes through plaster.
• Check for any buckling paint on wood or splinters of wood laying around your home’s exterior or crawlspace.
• If there is crawlspace bug damage, the floors above that area may sink or be uneven; it can also cause doors to jam.
• Watch for any swarming around doors or windows. If you see them emerging from a foundation wall, porch or patio, act immediately. It should be noted that you can use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate the pests you see, but you will want to call in a professional exterminator to determine the extent of the damage and to treat the area.

 

RECOVERING FROM CRAWLSPACE BUG DAMAGE

Once you discover that your home in Charlotte has crawlspace bug damage, don’t ignore the problem – it will only get worse and cost more to repair and correct. Once it has been dealt with by an extermination company, it is time to bring in a structural repair team in Charlotte to repair the damaged incurred. These repairs may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Replacing any fiberglass insulation – often used in older homes- with an encapsulation treatment (sealing) so the space is unappealing to pests.
• Addressing any issues due to water drainage, which makes the crawlspace appealing to pests. This often means the addition of a sump pump or a dehumidifier.
• Removing old wood and replacing it with borate-based products which are treated to prevent infestations.
• Reinforcing crawlspace jacks with steel ones to reinforce any sagging floors or rotted beams.

If the crawlspace wood rot is caught early enough, it is possible to rebuild and replace the wood. In the event that it has begun to grow and spread, it might be necessary to take more significant actions such as sealing off vents, adding crawlspace supports or even re-designing the crawlspace and installing a dehumidifier. 

Whether your crawlspace damage was caused by termites, carpenter beetles or another pest, the Sherrill Structural Repair team of Charlotte can help. We will assess the crawlspace bug damage and then do the work necessary to make your home’s crawlspace sturdy and sound again. Don’t put off the structural repairs! Contact us today.

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