How to replace a Termite Damaged Sill Plate

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Termites can wreak havoc on the framing of your home or business. If you have caught and dealt with the infestation of termites before they have actually eaten the home to pieces from around you, and if it is still standing, here are a few hints on how to repair and replace the damaged framing. If the home is totaled from the termite damage, it may be time to read up on building a new home.

If termites have eaten into the main sill plate of your home it will be important to replace this sill plate. Did you know that until fairly recently builders were not required to use treated wood for a sill plate. If you happen to own a home that does not have a treated sill plate and termites have destroyed it, you will need to replace this damaged piece.

Install a temporary beam in the basement of your home. This beam could be made out of doubled 2x10s or 8s. Jack the temporary beam with either screw jacks, hydraulic jacks or just plain doubled-up 2x4s. You dont need to lift up more than possibly 1/16 of an inch or just enough to relieve the bearing weight that is on the offending member. This weight may consist of the exterior walls, roof and interior floor joists. If you have any questions on the jacking process it would be wise to consult either a professional contractor or engineer. Keep in mind if your home is brick a different method must be used.

Once the weight is off it will be time to remove the old sill plate. Keep in mind that sill plates are often bolted to the foundation. If this is the case it may be necessary to chisel out small sections at a time. This part of the procedure can be very time consuming, so make sure you dont get impatient and dont mind getting dirty. It may be necessary to use a sawzall with a metal cutting blade to cut the nails, just be careful not to let the sawzall blade poke holes in the exterior siding.

Once the old termite damaged sill plate is removed measure where the existing foundation bolts are located. Transfer these measurements onto the new sill plate and cut slots wide enough to allow the installation of the new sill plate.

Install the new sill plate, slipping it into the location of the old one. After it is in place use oversized fender washers, or washers that the engineer has specified, and properly sized nuts. Tighten up the nuts to snug the new sill plate into place.

After the sill plate is installed it will be time to remove the jack system and the temporary beam. Once the weight of the home is back onto the new sill plate, it will be necessary to nail all of the joists into the new sill plate. This procedure can be tough, especially in tight spaces. If you dont have a nail gun or if the space is to small to fit a nail gun, specialty fasteners may be needed and these can be specified by an engineer.