Sagging Floor Repair Company Serving San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno & Nearby

"Wet" Rot On Floor Joists & Girders

Also called "soft rot", this fungus is known to break wet wood down into cellulose, which will significantly weaken and decompose the material.

When choosing between replacing and reinforcing joists that have been damaged, look carefully at the color of the wood.

Advanced damage will show up as darkening and shrinking of the wood. It will have a soggy, spongy appearance, and will show signs of prolonged moisture exposure.

Often, replacement of this wood will not be necessary. Instead, installing a sister beam and sturdy joist supports may be more than enough to address all present damage, and restore your structure to a stable condition.

Cosmetic, Surface-Level Mold

If you see mold that is white and "fuzzy" growing on your wood, there's a good chance that it's surface-level mold only.

This type of fungi quickly grows all over wood surfaces in a humid environment, alarming homeowners but not usually amounting to significant damage. These fungi are only able to consume the sugars and starches present in the wood, and not the polymers in wood fibers that provide structural strength.

Appropriate protective gear and an EPA-approved cleaning agent can provide a good short-term solution for cosmetically damaging fungi species (some molds are harmful and/or toxic to inhale or touch).

Given warmth, moisture, and food, mold will always return. Addressing the source of moisture is a much better route to the permanent solution you're seeking.

Dry/Brown Rot Damage

Also known as "brown rot", this fungus will reduce the wood it feeds on into small, rectangular pieces, leaving a "red dust" of spores behind as it spreads.

While not quite as widespread as other forms of mold damage, dry rot results in severe structural damage to wood. According to a study originally published in the Official Journal of the International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Society, a 1% decrease of the weight of wood can result in a 75% loss in the wood's toughness, causing floor joists and girders to begin to crumble apart in a very short period of time.

Don't be mislead by the name "dry rot" -- it does need significant moisture (a minimum of 28-30% content within the wood).

Dry rot damage can be treated with fungicides (such as boric acid) or other mold treatments to eliminate problems. However, the best way to prevent dry rot and related fungi is to create a dry space.

Termite-Damaged Wood

Wood that's been damaged by termites tends to be hollowed out along the grain and may look completely undamaged. Inside, you can find ragged-looking "galleries" (tunnels in the wood) that are lined with dried mud, waste, and soil.

Other signs mud-lined "tubes" in visible areas around wood, and the sound made by knocking on termite-damaged wood: which produces a hollow sound. Damage in plaster and drywall may appear as tiny, dirt-lined holes.

Each year, roughly one in 30 homes are infested by termites. Without annual pest inspections, infestations may continue for 8 years or more -- and can mean extensive damage to girders and joists.

Carpenter-Ant-Damaged Wood

Similar to termites, carpenter ants damage wood by hollowing it out from the inside. Unlike their counterparts, however, they do not eat wood -- only build their nest inside it. As a result, damage done to wood by carpenter ants is generally far less extensive.

Carpenter ants can be distinguished from termites by their pinched-in abdomen, jointed antennae, and forewings that are longer than their hind wings.

Additionally, carpenter ant tunnels are smooth in appearance, where termite tunnels are rough. Carpenter ants will also leave their nest to forage and to pile "frass" (sawdust, insect parts, and pupil casings) in locations away from the nest.

Both carpenter ants and termites are moisture-loving creates, and are particularly attracted to moldy, rot-damaged wood.

Powderpost Beetle Damage

The name "powderpost beetle" is a broad term used for several species of wood-destroying beetles that like to infest untreated wood that's been exposed to humid, damp conditions.

Damage caused by these critters is the cause of more confusion than any other structure-infesting pest -- an expert inspection is the best way to identify it.

Powerpost beetle larvae feed on wood cellulose, and will severely damage floor joists, girders, and other structural wood in 1-5 years. The wood they feed upon is reduced to a fine powder, which is deposited in tunnels below the surface of the wood.

Once fully developed, emerging adults will leave tiny, round holes in the wood -- about 1/8" in diameter. They will quickly mate, laying new eggs on or below the wood's surface.