Trapped Moisture Is the Main Culprit

Regarding the Feb. 7 Real Estate Q&A; item headlined “After Three Years, Termites Are Still Chewing:”

As a carpenter for 25 years and a general contractor, I was not at all surprised by the persistent termite question.

I believe termites are about as common as ants, rats and flies. The point Robert J. Bruss’ answer missed was the cause of their damage.

It really doesn’t matter if the damage is subterranean termites, carpenter ants or just fungus.

I call all these symptoms rot. I never call it “dry rot.” In my experience, the rot is caused by one thing: water.

When wood stays dry and well-ventilated, it doesn’t rot, and termites don’t do any damage to it, even if they are present.

At a recent project, a major remodel, the first step taken was to tent the house for termites. A month into the project, rot was noticed behind a shower where the ceramic tile was leaking water into the wall framing.

While repairing the rot, I saw many live termites. Perhaps this says something about the value of tenting a house.

I’m no entomologist, but in my experience it’s more important to fix the cause of the rot than to worry about subterranean termites, liability, etc.

One common cause I see is framing below grade: front porches, patios, driveways butting against the house, above the footing. The water seeps in but can’t evaporate.

JOHN GLEASON

Camarillo