Building Codes and Termites

[Luke Duke]

Does anyone know when codes were implemented requiring that wood houses be made of termite-resistant, treated wood?

In other words, if I want to buy a house that has been treated for wood, I should buy a house built after what year?

[csgray]

A lot of the older houses are naturally termite resistant because they are built from redwood or cedar, both are unappetizing for termites.

Carol

[unknownjulie]

I live in a redwood house, and although they are "more" resistant, I definately currently have termites. I already called the landlord.

[Carey]

I would not place total faith in any one treatment or wood type... most builder probably do not even follow the mfg. recommendations on the treated wood & cut the wood but then do not end treat with the treatment...so the mostly untreated core of the cut wood is ready & open to feasting...

As for redwood...our neighborhood has many homes of redwood, some that were moved from Waiakea town, some that were built in the 50's, & ours was in the 70's - most all have had termites (the neighborhood is SWARMING with dry wood termites during the warm dry evenings)... Quite a few homes have termite damage to the redwood siding, and many more have termite action in their redwood framing, including window & door frames...

ADDED: we also found out that most prefamed exterior doors here are not framed with treated wood, & the termites LOVE that frame wood (2 year old doors were full of the buggers...) You can - & I would advise this- order the prehung door frames made with termite resistant materials like fiberglas or vinyl or metal....one less thing to replace

We lost our back gutter last year, as they were nailed through the aluminum facia & into the redwood roof purlins. One, and only one roof purlin was totally termite destroyed...but it was the second to the last purlin & when the wood got bad enough, the gutter gave way during a big rain storm... all of the other edge purlins were checked, none had the damage...although we tent & have the annual inspections, the previous owner did not...so there were decades for the buggers to gnaw away... I cross cut that purlin, as I was SURE there had to be more to it than drywood termites, but all I found was channels upon channels of termite tunnels...

[Rob Tucker]

I demolished an old home on my site that was built from redwood. It was a old plantation home but termites owned every board. Couldn't salvage a thing. Redwood has a high tannic acid content and resists termites longer than common woods. But resists doesn't mean it is termite proof.

Some years back I attended a seminar on termites put on by the entemology department of U.H. Manoa. They asked how many builders or architects were in the audience. I was the only raised hand. Anyway U.H. does a lot of termite testing for products. They said that years ago they had wood preservatives that worked.....but the were poisonous and were banned. The borate treatment in use today, according to them, was effective for about three years if applied properly. As Cary mentioned proper application requires treating every cut end.... something practically never done by building crews. I have only seen end treatments done by owner builders. Low bid framers simply don't take the time - or are they being paid to.

For this and other reason I have abandoned wood frame as an economic building method. In my analysis it is the least practical investment. Wood frame is short term with very high maintenance cost.

[kalakoa]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker

For this and other reason I have abandoned wood frame as an economic building method. In my analysis it is the least practical investment. Wood frame is short term with very high maintenance cost.

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Problem is, all the "superior" wood alternatives aren't readily available -- last I checked, everything is special-order and wait, which means your project has to be planned and budgeted well in advance.

[Rob Tucker]

well, the lead time and shipping is about the same as the permitting process at the county. So my customers generally order materials as the permit is submitted.

[kalakoa]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker

well, the lead time and shipping is about the same as the permitting process at the county. So my customers generally order materials as the permit is submitted.

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I have a use case which is both legal and permit-exempt, so the lead time kind of sucks.

[Rob Tucker]

What does that mean?

[kalakoa]

Which part, "is permit-exempt" or "the lead time sucks"?

I agree that building things out of termite food is generally not a good investment. However, I can get a truckload of termite food any day of the week, and build something today, not 3-6 months from now.