In Southern California, subterranean and drywood termites cause millions of dollars in property damage every year. Homeowners often discover the problem only after the damage has become severe—such as when a foot goes through a soft floorboard, or when drywall is removed during a remodel to reveal hollowed-out studs.
At Everlasting Construction & Design, we frequently step in after an infestation has compromised the structural integrity of a Pasadena home. However, rebuilding load-bearing framing requires a very specific sequence of operations to ensure the new wood does not immediately become a food source.
The Pre-Requisite: Structural Eradication
As licensed general contractors, our expertise is in carpentry and structural engineering, not entomology or chemical application. We cannot legally or ethically begin cutting out sister-joists and replacing load-bearing wood until the active biological threat has been neutralized.
Before we can rebuild the framing, the active infestation must be thoroughly eradicated by a state-licensed structural pest control operator. If you have discovered damaged wood, we require that you consult with a verified extermination specialist to clear the property first.
Find Verified California Pest Control OperatorsThe Engineering of Wood Replacement
Once the exterminators have issued a clearance report, our carpenters move in. Termite damage is rarely superficial; the insects eat the cellulose from the inside out, leaving a paper-thin veneer of wood that provides zero structural support. Depending on the location of the damage, we employ two primary repair methods:
Sistering Joists & Studs
If a load-bearing floor joist or wall stud has moderate damage but is still partially intact, we will use a technique called "sistering." This involves bolting and gluing a brand new, pressure-treated piece of lumber directly alongside the damaged joist, transferring the structural load to the new, healthy wood without requiring a full tear-out.
Complete Structural Replacement
If the sill plate (the bottom piece of wood that anchors the framing to the foundation) or a primary support beam is completely hollowed out, sistering is not an option. We must install temporary hydraulic jacks to hold up the ceiling and roof, completely cut out the rotted timber, and install heavy-duty pressure-treated replacements.
Preventing Future Attacks
When executing a repair, we focus heavily on preventative construction. We ensure that no exterior stucco or wood siding is in direct contact with the soil, which creates a moisture bridge for subterranean termites. We also upgrade compromised crawlspace ventilation to reduce ambient humidity, making the sub-structure far less hospitable to drywood swarms.
By pairing professional eradication with engineered structural repair, we ensure your home is safe, up to code, and protected for decades to come.