Termite Damage

[i386]

Here's another basement issue I must address sooner or later. I know my local building code will be the final word on this but I'm interested in hearing some opinions...


About 4 years ago I discovered termites in my basement. I removed all panneling, insulation and drywall from the ceiling. Then the whole house and foundation was professionally treated for termites. The bugs have not returned but there is still damage to deal with.

I have 3 load bearing exterior basement walls that need work. Scabbing/replacing studs will not suffice because the top cap is damaged too.

Can I...

Build 3 brand new walls right up against the damaged walls, have the wood professionally treated, then put up drywall? Sure it's going to look a little funky around the doors and windows. Structurally, it will be sound.(Stronger than just one wall in theory anyway) I would photograph/document the process and disclose this information if I were to ever sell the house.

-or-

Must I build some temporary support members to hold up the house while I remove the old walls and put up new ones? This would be a no brainer for me if I had any doubt that termites were still in the wood, but the house has been termite free since the treatment.


Covering the whole thing up without addressing the problem at all and keeping it on the down low is not something I'm willing to do.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Termite Damage

If it were mine, I'd shore up the joists, tear out the damaged sections and build new. I would also use borate treated lumber as bugs hate the stuff.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Termite Damage

Reminds me of the time we replaced some sills on a buddy's farmhouse. We built up a beam from several 2x12s screwed together, put that under the joists and jacked it up using a few of those adjustable support posts. Raised the house just enough to take the weight off, sawzall'd the fasteners and pulled the old sill out. Cleaned up the space, slid the new sill in and lowered the support posts. Toenailed everything and viola! We were a bit concerned because the house interior walls are plastered but no cracks formed during or after.

 

[i386]

Re: Termite Damage

Bump.


Anyone else?

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Termite Damage

Do I read your post correctly that you have a wood basement built with untreated load bearing walls?
Are they below grade?
If so this is a whole new ballgame.

 

[i386]

Re: Termite Damage

Do I read your post correctly that you have a wood basement built with untreated load bearing walls?
Are they below grade?
If so this is a whole new ballgame.

Wood "basement" but not below grade. It's a split level house. Wood was treated with borate(sp?) after the damage was done. New wood will be treated the same before any drywall goes up regardless.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Termite Damage

I agree that it would be best to replace the existing walls, just do it in as short a section as you are comfortable working with.
Build a temp wall a foot or two inside the old one.
I would use ACQ or CCA(if available) treated lumber as both are resistant to insects and decay.
I'm not familiar with Borate.
It's not the easiest job in the world but it's not rocket science either.
Good luck.

 

[i386]

Re: Termite Damage

Thanks. I'll get it fixed right one way or another.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Termite Damage

I forgot to mention that stainless steel fasteners are required for ACQ pressure treated lumber even above grade.
All below grade fasteners should be SS.