Termite damage and wood rot repair in Tucson

We repair the damage, not the pests

To be clear up front: AZ Atlas Builder Group does not do termite treatment. That is the job of a licensed pest control company. What we do is the next step, repairing the studs, plates, beams, fascia, door frames and trim that termites or rot have damaged, so the structure is sound again. We're a family-owned, licensed general contractor in Tucson (AZ ROC #344537), and our own crew does the framing and structural repair work.

Termites in Tucson

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension calls termites Arizona's number one urban pest. Its homeowner guide names the desert subterranean termite as the most common and by far the most destructive of the subterranean species here (UA Cooperative Extension, Termite Management for Homeowners).

Subterranean termites live in the soil and build mud tubes to reach wood above ground. The same guide points to a mud tube on the outside stem wall, where the soil meets the foundation, as a good sign to look for, and notes that damaged wood sounds hollow when tapped. It also suggests inspecting about twice a year, in spring and near the end of monsoon season. Damage often builds for years before it shows.

Choosing and checking a pest company

Pest control companies in Arizona are licensed by the Arizona Pest Management Division, part of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Its site has a license search for companies and a termite treatment history search, so you can check a company before you hire it and look up treatments reported on a property. Once treatment is done, we can open up the damaged areas and repair them.

Wood rot: the other wood problem

Not all damaged wood is termites. Rot comes from water that keeps getting in and doesn't dry out. In Tucson homes we see it most from:

• Roof leaks and failed flashing, especially around flat roofs and parapets (see roof leak repair)
• Cracked stucco letting water behind the wall (see stucco crack repair)
• Sprinklers and drip lines soaking the base of walls and posts
• Leaking showers and tubs rotting the framing behind them
• Exposed beam ends, rafter tails and fascia taking sun and monsoon rain

As with termites, the source has to be fixed first. Replacing rotted wood without stopping the water means doing it twice.

What the repair involves

1. Open up and assess. We remove drywall, stucco or trim as needed to see how far the damage goes. Damage is often larger than it looks from outside.
2. Support the structure. Where load-bearing members are affected, we shore the area before removing anything.
3. Repair or replace. Lightly damaged members can sometimes be reinforced by sistering new lumber alongside. Badly damaged studs, plates, headers or beams get replaced. Larger structural repairs may need an engineer's input and a permit.
4. Close up and finish. Sheathing, stucco, drywall, trim and paint, matched to the rest of the house.

Beams and headers are covered in more detail on our beam repair page. Decks with rotted posts and joists are on our deck repair page.

Buying or selling a home?

Termite damage often comes to light during a sale, when an inspector flags mud tubes or damaged wood. If that happens, the buyer and seller usually want two things: proof the termites have been treated, and a clear plan for the repair. A licensed pest company handles the first. We can walk the house, open up the flagged areas where needed, and give you a written estimate for the repair, so everyone knows what the work involves before closing.

Where we find damage most often

Bottom plates and studs along exterior walls, door and window frames, garage door headers, patio beams, fascia boards and rafter tails, and deck posts and stairs. If you've had termites treated and want to know what's behind the wall, or a pest inspector has flagged damage, we can walk the house and give you a written estimate for the repair.