termite vs water damage

While wet wood can begin to rot termites wont typically begin to eat away at dry wood. Termites hollow out wood by eating through it compromising the structures structural integrity.

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Because termites create high-moisture nests signs of termite damage are often similar to signs of water damage.

. Termites also leave behind external signs of their presence including mud tubes discarded wings and wood-colored waste called frass. This is due to the high concentration of moisture that you will find in these areas. Eastern subterranean termites are a subterranean species found primarily in the South and on the East Coast. Since treatment and repairs for water damage and termite damage are very different contact a licensed termite inspector for help.

A mature colony of 60000 termites will eat the equivalent of a 2 foot length of 2X4 lumber in a years time. This is especially true of wet rot which contains plenty of moisture that the termites seek along with the nutrients. In some ways the termite damage might appear like water damage but the wood itself is being compromised by the termites consuming its grains. Misidentification of such wood problems is due to ignorance of what they are and how to spot the difference.

These subterranian or underground termites can cause expensive damage to your home that needs to be restored. Counterbalancing this is the greatly improved water infiltration where termite tunnels in the soil allow rainwater to soak in deeply which helps reduce runoff. With this article youre able to overcome such challenges and apply the right kind of treatment. While termites like to hide their presence can be detected if you find discarded wings nearby.

What is the Difference between Water Damage and Termite Damage. Because termites create high-moisture nests signs of termite damage are often similar to signs of water damage. Ad Trusted Water Damage Pros. The affected wood may become darkened spongy or moldy.

Termites tend to be drawn to decaying wood. Termite damage often resembles water damage. Termite damage vs water damage. Fungal attack timber and ruin its inner structure petering it inside out causing dry rot.

Termite damage is caused by a termite infestation within your walls floors or foundation. Termites eat along the grainline of wood which results in an intricate pattern of tunnels. Termites are quiet and cryptic. It comes in two main types.

Heres a quick review on how to tell termite damage and water damage apart. This forces the wooden structure to bendblister buckle or sag. Homeowners can easily confuse termite damage and water damage. Tens to hundreds of thousands in colonies could be busily eating away at a home or building for years causing structural damage that can go unnoticed until it has reached an unsafe level.

For example both problems can cause paint to bubble and peel. You may see white or grey growth on the wood and even a mushroom-like body if it has advanced. How To Tell The Difference Between Termite Damage Or Water Damage. Water damage occurs due to the wood thats constant in touch with soil or water and termite is also attracted due to moisture or oxygen.

Only 183 species out of 3106 are known to cause damage with 83 species. Does Rotting Wood Attract Termites. Termites leave behind wings or droppings. Another commonality between these two species is their demand for nearby water sources.

Buckling or swelling wood the scent of mold blistering and signs of. If there are maze-like structures or tunnels visible in the wood then is probably a termite infestation. Now the sizes of these colonies differ with the species of the termites forming them. If the wood sounds hollow when tapped it is probably termites.

Its not too difficult if you know the exact difference. Dry rot is the most frequent form of wood rot youll come across and its commonly confused with termite damage. If the wood is wet or moldy it is probably water damage. For example both problems can cause paint to bubble and peel.

Water damage is caused by moisture buildup within the home. You may even see green algae on the wood. If you have active termites in your home you may see 1 or more of these signs. The wood may be grooved and muddy or crumbling.

Termites are tiny insects ranging in length from 4 to 15 millimetres 316 to 916 in. Regardless all these termite colonies can cause immense damage to your home. It results in cracks and crevices in the wood. In addition to causing damage to buildings termites can also damage food crops.

Key Takeaway When looking at termite damage vs water damage it is useful to differentiate between the two by searching for pooling water looking at the appearance of the deteriorating wood finding nests and spotting discarded wings. To recap there are three different types of termite colonies the subterranean termite colony the drywood termite colony and the Formosan termite colony. Restore Home like New. The answer is yes.

Termite Damage Vs Water Damage. A fungal infestation causes wood to rot. Wet rot and dry rot also called brown rot. Termites thrive in moisture.

Free Water Damage Inspection. Wood rot whether wet rot or dry rot is distinguished by the following. Much of this damage is from improper installation or leaking damage that has gone untouched for years. Wet rot develops when wood stays above 50 moisture whereas dry rot can develop between 20 and 30 moisture levels.

Dry rot despite its name requires moisture to begin decomposing and fungus will transfer water into wooden buildings. The most common places to find wood rot are windows and doors roofs decks and basements or high moisture areas. Both should be promptly treated by a professional. Schedule Now for Immediate Help.

Most termite species including carpenter ants will only infest wood with a high moisture level. The wood may be blistering cracking or the paint may be peeling. One key difference between the two is that water damage can result in square-shaped cells in the wood whereas termite infestation can result in hollowed-out sections of wavy wood. Homeowners can easily confuse termite damage and water damage.

This means that if you notice dry wood is suffering from damage theres a good chance its thanks to fungi. In contrast wet wood with damage could be a. Even though the name implies the rotting wood is dry its quite the opposite dry rot needs a water source or moisture to survive. Termite activity often appears similar to other issues such as wood rot.

Telltale signs one may find in their home are. For starters both termite damage and water damage cause paint to bubble and peel away from the wood. The queens of the species Macrotermes bellicosus are the largest of all extant termites measuring up to 10 centimetres 4 in in length. Termites and carpenter ants both chew through wood but termites consume it for food whilst the ants just move it out of the way as they expand their colony.

As a result proper wood treatment becomes a problem as there is a misapplication of treatment. Humid areas of the home around the home and water-damaged lumber are perfect habitats.

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