Repairing Termite Damage to a Home In New York City (NYC): Termite Damage Repair Cost

Termite Damage Repair Cost



It can be very upsetting to find termite-infested timber or termite colonies in the center of your New York house. Termite damage is unlike other house repairs in that it cannot be put off or ignored. That's because pests that eat wood are constantly busy, nibbling stealthily on everything wooden they come find.


Fortunately, it seldom happens that termites wreak enough havoc to render a home wholly uninhabitable. Early infestation detection gives you the best chance of having enough time to take care of the problem and make repairs. But how much does fixing termite damage cost? And what fixes are available?






Cost of repairing termite damage in the US


The cost to repair termite damage depends on the extent of the destruction, the location of the problem, and the solutions you choose. Nationwide, homeowners spend approximately $5 billion to control termites in their homes and fix the damage they leave behind.





Termite Damage Cost


If you’re among the 600,000 homeowners who face a termite problem, the mitigation of a termite infestation will cost you an average of $5,000 in structural repairs. Note that termite damage repair is different from the treatment—the process of removing the pests. The national average cost for termite treatment alone is $575.





What are the Types and Symptoms of Termite Damage to Expect


During or after a termite infestation, you are likely to face any of these types and signs of damage:




Mud Tubes – These are protective roadways that termites make on walls and foundations while traveling between a food source and the nest. It’s the most obvious sign of an infestation.


Holes and Tunnels in Wooden Structures – If you notice holes and maze-like paths carved into the wood, the infestation may have been going on for some time.


Destabilization Ceilings and Uneven Floors – You may start to notice your ceiling buckling, floors blistering, walls cracking, and windows and doors beginning to stick.


Hollow and Soft Lumber – When the infestation has taken root for some time, you’ll notice the lumber is soft to the touch, easy to puncture, or sounds hollow inside. This is dangerous, as wooden structures may not offer ample support.


Damage to Cellulose-based Items – Termites don’t just feast on wood, they also damage any material that has cellulose, such as books, wool rugs, carpets, and picture frames.


Termite Droppings – Other signs to look out for are insect wings and droppings that resemble sawdust.








Repair Termite Damage



There are two main ways to repair termite damage to wood:

  • replace damaged sections of wood entirely or
  • add a wood support adjacent to damaged wood.

In most cases, the repair will be simpler and less expensive if you add a wood support to damaged wood. This type of repair works for many structural and non-structural repairs. Repairs that involve replacing structural supports are the most complicated. It is crucial that adequate temporary support be provided to maintain the home's integrity during repairs.



Fixing Termite Damage: Your Options


Before you start searching for termite damage repair solutions, you’ll obviously need to have addressed the infestation. Working with a termite treatment expert is the only way you can be 100% sure every single termite has been eradicated, and the threat of future infestation has been eliminated.



The expert will also highlight other damaged areas that you may not be aware of and put measures in place to prevent termite reappearance. If your home is structurally compromised and unsafe to live in, the specialist will alert you, allowing you to move out until comprehensive repairs are made.



Once the treatment process is complete, you can now reverse termite damage with these repair options:



Cosmetic Termite Damage Repair






Cosmetic Termite Damage Repair


If the termite infestation was detected early, you’ll most likely be dealing with some aesthetic issues. Cosmetic damage can be in the form of chipped paint, wallpaper damage, furniture destruction, or discoloration of walls or flooring.



After a termite specialist determines that the issues are only cosmetic, then you can go ahead and perform a DIY termite repair. This may include applying a new coat on the damaged painted surface, refinishing the discolored floor, replacing the wallpaper, and retouching damaged furniture.



Cosmetic repairs may be the most affordable, averaging $2000, and are the easiest to deal with as you don’t need special skills.






Small Termite Infestation Damage Repair

For minimal damage to the main structure, the solution is to use wood hardeners to fill in the gaps and strengthen the wood. After your house is treated for termites, clean off any remaining tubes or trails, then examine the wood underneath for damage.



Wood hardeners are special adhesives used to fix small holes, cracks, and damaged spots, while offering protection against further rot. For long, hollowed-out grooves, use a wood filler instead.



Make sure you pick a wood hardener or filler that matches the type of wood. Also, experts recommend applying a wood sealant to cut off the oxygen supply for any remaining termites. It will kill any colony inside and protect the wood from future intrusions.






Structural Termite Damage Repair

If you realize the termite infestation is advanced, it’s best you work with a termite repair expert, since insufficient repairs can put your entire family at risk. After an inspection, the expert may suggest attaching new wood to the damaged wood to provide support. It’s more cost-effective when the damage isn’t extreme.



The second, more expensive solution is to replace damaged sections of wood entirely. These repairs are complicated and time-consuming, especially if the problem affects a load-bearing support structure.



In order to maintain the integrity of the house while repairs are being made, it may be necessary to relocate any wiring and plumbing connections that may be located inside the infested regions. A few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars are spent on extreme repairs.





Prior to performing repairs, don't forget to treat for termites





Remember that if the infestation is not thoroughly dealt with before beginning repairs, the fixes may be ineffective. These Missouri homes will continue to be chewed on by these wood-boring pests if the colony is not completely eliminated.




Additionally, do not wait until problems go out of control before requesting an examination. Termites can wreak significant damage quickly, and some warning signals can be difficult to spot.



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