I have removed all of the flooring from my wood foundation home in the basement and noticed a couple areas where the footer seems to disappear. These two photos show the same location in the wall between the drywall and the concrete slab. The blue coloured wood on the second photo is what the rest of the wall looks like but there’s clearly a hole in the first photo.
The hole seems to go straight out of the foundation. We also had an ant problem with a nest in an interior (non-foundation) wall last year that required pest control to spray inside and out. The frass seen outside of this hole is similar to what we saw with our ant nest last year.
Is this normal or a foundation issue? Can I seal the holes with something without tearing out the wall and before laying new flooring?
Replies
The Permanent Wood Foundation technique I'm familiar with would have the wood extending below the level of the floor, with the slab poured up against it. This appears to be different, so it's hard to guess what's going on.
a few qestions for O.P.
Most Permanent Wood Foundations aren't permanent because they're not built correctly.
I have a few questions for you Agnesk:
1. What is the moisture content of the footing material that hasn't "disappeared"?
2. Why are you replacing your existing wood flooring in the basement? Did it disappear as well?
1. There is no moisture on the footing material that is there and there doesn't appear to be any extra moisture coming in to the slab where there's no footing material.
2. The original flooring was 20+ years old carpet that had just been really well used. There was nothing really wrong with it at the time of removal other than some serious wear in the high traffic areas.
all materials will generally have some moisture content
1. I'm not talking about visable liquid moisture. I'm talking about moisture content--measured with a moisture meter.
2. I see now why you're changing out your pre-existing finish . Thanks for the additional insight.
I'm going to try and borrow a moisture meter in a couple days to check the footing. So I can plan ahead, what would your recommendations be if there is moisture there and if there isn't? And what percentage should I be looking for that would constitute moisture in the footing?
Thanks for all your help.
Good idea
Most lumber in a conditioned home equilibrates to a moisture content anywhere from 5-12% depending on the relative humidity inside the home. Mold and mildew can propogate with MC levels 19% and over. Pressure treated lumber have toxins injected into the fibers in order to curb the appetite of microrganisms, but they can leach out and become ineffective over time; particualarly if they are subject to wet/dry cycles.
If you have a high moisture content then it would appear that the moisture is coming from an improper moisture barrier/drainage system installed on the exterior of your home (unless its an interior plumbing leak). IMO, that will have to be remedied from the exterior and will not be cheap. If the moisture content is low, then it's anyone's guess as to what is boring through and/or consuming your dry foundation plates. I'd be interested to find out. Even though you've treated I would recheck for evidence of destructive insects. Termites consume, carpentar ants bore through.
Your photos show what seems to be insect damage. If so, you will want to evict them and repair any structural damage. If this were my place, I'd be tearing off a section of that sheetrock so I could get a good look at the wood in the wall. This inspection will tell you more than any ten experts, internet based or real.
Investigating potential moisture issues is a distraction right now. Look for bugs.
I should probably clarify: we did have the place checked again. The frass is definitely ant frass and there are no longer any insect nests inside the basement. It looks identical to the frass that was cleaned out of the interior wall when the exterminator cleared it last year so I imagine this was just one of the points of ingress from those ants.
I would prefer not to tear out the wall if the holes were a common sight. The only reason being that it's textured and I imagine tearing out this section would mean replacing the sheetrock in the rest of the room as well.
I hear ya
I'm sure you wouldn't. I'm also pretty sure you would like to know you have an uncompromised foundation. If it were my house, then I'd do whatever it takes to achieve the latter.
BTW, ants and termites generally are associated with damp wood. It is, respectivley easier to tunnel/nest in or digest. That's why I think it is important to check moisture content in a variety of places. Successful PWF's are supposed to remain "dry".