Termite Damage Repair

Unfortunately in Brisbane and South East Queensland there is a high incidence of termite invasion. It is important to have a professional pest inspection regularly to guard against invasion of termites and the major damage they can cause.  Catching them early can save you thousands of dollars in damage repairs.  Termites can turn a load bearing solid beam into a flimsy honeycomb that can leave your roof hanging un-supported.

Termite Damage Garage Door Beam

After Repair by Carpentry Worx

There are things you can do to guard against termites where-ever possible.  When constructing any new structure,  use treated timbers or termite resistant timbers, such as Cypress Pine, keeping in mind the appropriate structural grade timbers must be used where required.

Keep gardens away from your house and other structures, as Termites love the moisture they provide.  A simple walk around the exterior of the house doing a visual check for any activity such as mud tracks, can alert you to their presence.  If you do find signs of termites it is important not to disturb them and call a professional to assess and treat the problem. It is also good to communicate between neighbours when termites are found, so that they can check they aren't be affected by the same colony and a more effective treatment can be undertaken by all parties at the same time.  Assessing the damage caused, can sometimes be an unknown quantity until you start pulling wall sheeting off and seeing the damage hidden behind.  More commonly damaged are window frames and skirting boards but other times you can be unfortunate in finding the studs and noggins eaten behind the wall sheeting.  These need to be replaced to ensure the integrity of the structure.

If you've been unfortunate not to have caught them before damage has been caused, Carpentry Worx can assist you in the repair, once the required treatment time  has passed.  We will use termite resistant timber where-ever possible when repairing and replacing the damage.  You want peace of mind that your structure is sound once again.

Deck Maintenance

Your deck is a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy our great Queensland weekends and evenings together.  All decks require regular maintenance to maintain their appeal and integrity.  It is recommended that you carry this out every six months, for decks exposed to the elements, and every twelve months for more covered decks.

Many people don't realise that not only will the sun and rain make your deck deteriorate, but overhanging foliage dropping flowers and leaves, can cause mould and rot where this foliage traps moisture on the timber, decreasing the life of your deck. Regularly trim foliage back to minimise this and regularly use a blower or sweep off any debris, that can also gather between decking boards and on top of joists.

At six and twelve month intervals, invest in a high quality decking oil (the higher the oil content the better).  There is a variety available in clear and stain finishes to suit your deck, depending on the timber it’s constructed with.  You must start with a good sweep down to remove any dust and if necessary purchase and use a deck cleaning preparation prior to oiling.  For easy application use a woolen mitt over a timber broom, dipped into a roller tray (all available from your local hardware store) this soaks and holds the oil and glides on easily to make light work of applying it, allowing most decks to be completed in half an hour.

These few small tasks can help keep your deck looking inviting for many years, without needing major repairs.

During your maintenance, if you find some decking boards to be replaced or are concerned about the structural integrity of your deck, Carpentry Worx would be happy to assist you.

By Helen Marolt