My friends Erin and Mike (kept out last name for privacy since they didn't know I was doing this) and their two girls have recently found out that their roof and a lot of their home has been being eaten by termites for the last 5 years! Going into this, they were "getting their roof fixed"! After the layers have been pealed away they are having to replace walls, support beams, and EVEN FLOOR BOARDS!!!! Their Home Insurance won't help pay for it because they are saying it is a maintenance issue! They have only owned this home for around 2 1/2 years! And YES, it PASSED inspection!!!! Could you imagine this happening to you!?! How DEVASTATING!!!
As you can tell this is a HUGE financial burden for their family!
I wanted to give them a little money but I knew it wouldn't even take a dent out of what they need to pay for JUST the materials!!!
So, I thought that maybe if we all come together and give just a small amount we can help take some of the financial burden off of them. ANYTHING will help!
So, I thought that maybe if we all come together and give just a small amount we can help take some of the financial burden off of them. ANYTHING will help!
Even if you don't know Erin & Mike, just put yourself in their shoes and know that no matter what you give you will be helping LITERALLY put a roof back over their heads!!!
If you feel compiled PLEASE SHARE!!!!
THANK YOU for your generosity in advance!!!!
It's only with you that we can make this happen for them!!!
I set up a Wepay account so it is SIMPLE and SAFE to give any amount!!!
You can also click a box to be a private donor and print out the receipt for tax purposes!
You can also click a box to be a private donor and print out the receipt for tax purposes!
CLICK HERE to donate!
Below are pictures my husband took last night of their home.
Sorry for the poor quality, he just used his phone and it was dark!
This first picture is of their doorframe, new wood next to damaged wood.
This shows the roof along with the walls being removed to be replaced!
The termite guy has taken many pictures of the damage for his records because he said this is one of the WORST cases he has EVER seen!!! If I can get a hold of those pictures, I will post them here!!!
Here are two more shots that show the damage behind the walls!
Update from Friday August 23:
The new support beam just got to the house a little before 10am. It weights over 700 lbs!
I took a picture, standing in their living room, it's hard to believe I am INSIDE their home!!!
Look at the support beam after it was pulled down!
Some of you may know that Erin and I got hit with termites last week when we went to have some work done on our roof. Apparently last time the roof had work, about 8 years ago the previous resident/roofer decided to cover up the damage.
We had an inspection and treatment about 3 years ago, when we bought the house. We passed the inspection and there apparently was no evidence of termites or termite damage at the time.
When had a termite inspector come out on Tuesday, the first inspector still said there was not any evidence around or in the house. Then I showed him our rafters and walls that we had torn apart that had been consumed by termites.
I wanted to share a little bit about what he have learned through this process:
1. Standard termite treatments can take up to 6 to 24 months to kill all of the termites. If there is any settling and disruption of the soil around your house after the treatment, there is a gap in your protection and you're susceptible to termites again.
2. Termite Companies will only stand by their inspection and treatment if you renew their service every year. This can range from $225 and up per year. This will usually involve sending someone out to inspect your house and provide treatment if needed.
3. There is a treatment that will kill termites much quicker, but of course it cost more. Per the two inspectors we had, only a very few companies offer this treatment. So Bob the Local Pest Guy, may not have access to this chemical if you have active termites. Something you may want to ask or do your own research on.
4. There are dogs that can sniff out termites. Jason Wickersheim told me about this. His Realtor recommended this to him and his wife when they recently purchased a home. The dog found termites, that were not found by the person inspector. I am sure this service probably cost more, but was probably well worth it for them. I could see this being very useful if you have a finished basement where you cannot see into the deep corners because of finished ceilings.
5. If you have a person inspector, go with them and make sure they are pulling out the insulation in the deep corners and doing the job they are paid to do. I can't really recommend a company, because I was not overly impressed by either of the inspectors we had, but it was pretty fricking obvious we had termites.
6. We have some real amazing friends and families. From providing Erin and the kids a place to stay for the week, to making meals, watching the girls, stopping by and chatting a few mintues, lending me tools, helping me raise a 600 lb support beam, providing/donating building materials, donating money, phone calls, and text, it all has been amazing.
7. 1 in 30 homes has termites every year. Also next year is expected to be the worst year for termites in many years due to our recent weather patterns that have played into the termites hands. It may be worth having an inspection. Most person inspections are free, you just have to listen to their sales pitch at the end.
8. Alaska is the only state that does not have termites.
9. Helio with Innovation Construction is truly amazing. He was our roofer doing work and stuck around and demo'ed the house, framed it back in, and put a roof back over our head all in one week. He did a great job and never cuts corners. If anyone ever needs any roofing, please contact me, because he is the best and I would highly recommend him. I truly believe he is a dying breed of honest builders/roofers who will not cut corners for profits. He has walked away from jobs because bosses or homeowners wanted him to cut corners or do things that he knows are not right . Helio is a true friend and I owe a tremendous amount to him and the hard work him and Durango put in on our house. His wife Lilian is also amazing for letting him work on our house for a week. She made us some amazing meals during that time. They are great friends, who have huge hearts.
10. Colleen Wickersheim has some amazing recipes. I think she can literally work vegetables into anything she makes. This apparently includes cauliflower into cookies. I look forward to reading more of her blog and trying her recipes.
Once again thank you again to our family and friends, we couldn't have made it through this week without you. I will probably be calling a few of for some help in the next couple weeks as I put the inside of the house back together.
Below are pictures my husband took last night of their home.
Sorry for the poor quality, he just used his phone and it was dark!
This first picture is of their doorframe, new wood next to damaged wood.
A picture from inside their living room.... The blue tarp is covering the house from being completely open to the outdoors!
This shows the roof along with the walls being removed to be replaced!
Here are two more shots that show the damage behind the walls!
The new support beam just got to the house a little before 10am. It weights over 700 lbs!
I took a picture, standing in their living room, it's hard to believe I am INSIDE their home!!!
Here is the support beam that is being replaced....
Look at the support beam after it was pulled down!
They are blessed that the house didn't collapse with them in it!
Here is a post Mike wrote on Facebook about some of the things he has learned through this whole crazy experience with termites! It's very helpful information if you own or are planning on purchasing a home! I personally love #10!!!
Termite-apocalypse
Some of you may know that Erin and I got hit with termites last week when we went to have some work done on our roof. Apparently last time the roof had work, about 8 years ago the previous resident/roofer decided to cover up the damage.
We had an inspection and treatment about 3 years ago, when we bought the house. We passed the inspection and there apparently was no evidence of termites or termite damage at the time.
When had a termite inspector come out on Tuesday, the first inspector still said there was not any evidence around or in the house. Then I showed him our rafters and walls that we had torn apart that had been consumed by termites.
I wanted to share a little bit about what he have learned through this process:
1. Standard termite treatments can take up to 6 to 24 months to kill all of the termites. If there is any settling and disruption of the soil around your house after the treatment, there is a gap in your protection and you're susceptible to termites again.
2. Termite Companies will only stand by their inspection and treatment if you renew their service every year. This can range from $225 and up per year. This will usually involve sending someone out to inspect your house and provide treatment if needed.
3. There is a treatment that will kill termites much quicker, but of course it cost more. Per the two inspectors we had, only a very few companies offer this treatment. So Bob the Local Pest Guy, may not have access to this chemical if you have active termites. Something you may want to ask or do your own research on.
4. There are dogs that can sniff out termites. Jason Wickersheim told me about this. His Realtor recommended this to him and his wife when they recently purchased a home. The dog found termites, that were not found by the person inspector. I am sure this service probably cost more, but was probably well worth it for them. I could see this being very useful if you have a finished basement where you cannot see into the deep corners because of finished ceilings.
5. If you have a person inspector, go with them and make sure they are pulling out the insulation in the deep corners and doing the job they are paid to do. I can't really recommend a company, because I was not overly impressed by either of the inspectors we had, but it was pretty fricking obvious we had termites.
6. We have some real amazing friends and families. From providing Erin and the kids a place to stay for the week, to making meals, watching the girls, stopping by and chatting a few mintues, lending me tools, helping me raise a 600 lb support beam, providing/donating building materials, donating money, phone calls, and text, it all has been amazing.
7. 1 in 30 homes has termites every year. Also next year is expected to be the worst year for termites in many years due to our recent weather patterns that have played into the termites hands. It may be worth having an inspection. Most person inspections are free, you just have to listen to their sales pitch at the end.
8. Alaska is the only state that does not have termites.
9. Helio with Innovation Construction is truly amazing. He was our roofer doing work and stuck around and demo'ed the house, framed it back in, and put a roof back over our head all in one week. He did a great job and never cuts corners. If anyone ever needs any roofing, please contact me, because he is the best and I would highly recommend him. I truly believe he is a dying breed of honest builders/roofers who will not cut corners for profits. He has walked away from jobs because bosses or homeowners wanted him to cut corners or do things that he knows are not right . Helio is a true friend and I owe a tremendous amount to him and the hard work him and Durango put in on our house. His wife Lilian is also amazing for letting him work on our house for a week. She made us some amazing meals during that time. They are great friends, who have huge hearts.
10. Colleen Wickersheim has some amazing recipes. I think she can literally work vegetables into anything she makes. This apparently includes cauliflower into cookies. I look forward to reading more of her blog and trying her recipes.
Once again thank you again to our family and friends, we couldn't have made it through this week without you. I will probably be calling a few of for some help in the next couple weeks as I put the inside of the house back together.
I feel sorry for Erin and Mike! But thank you for sharing their experience and for posting Mike's note here. I learned a lot from what he wrote, like dogs that sniff out termites? Really? Ones who recently bought a house, or are planning to buy one would need to get a dog before settling the insurance. Anyway, I hope Erin and Mike will be fine, soon.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey @ BugManiacs.com
That's really awful about your friends' house. We just bought a house, and this would have been good info to know beforehand. I didn't know dogs could sniff out termites either!
ReplyDeleteYes Mia! That was MY HOUSE that we used a dog because our Realtor suggested.... The inspector didn't find termites but the dog DID!!!! I thank God that my Realtor knew to use a dog because a support beam in our home had to be replaced! All they do is have the dog walk around the perimeter of the house and if he smells termites he will sit down. Pretty cool that they can train a dog for that!!!
DeleteOh, wow. I don't know if it's too late for our house (we've already closed), but I wonder if we should have that done. I don't know about the termite population in Colorado...are there more termites in certain states? Where are you guys?
ReplyDeleteWe are in Kansas City! I looked it up and there are 4 different kinds of termites and there are some in every state but Alaska because of the temperature! If you already closed you can't get the previous owner to pay for the termite dog but you can still pay to have a dog walk around your home!! If you want to be safe and sure! Wouldn't that be cool to own a dog that could sniff out termites!?! You would never have any problems in that area! lol
DeleteOh, that's right--you're in KC. Hmm...we might want to get it checked, although it's a log home so all the wood is in plain sight. I think we would be able to tell if there were termites.
ReplyDeleteBoth the roof and walls needed to be replaced? Ugh, what a mess! Termites literally brought down the house! It's a lesson learned for those who are thinking of purchasing a house before having the premises thoroughly inspected before closing the deal. Burma @ MetroDandB.com
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard to get rid of termites. If we do not take sufficient actions for controlling them then a dangerous and complex situation will appear. It is very essential to know how to get rid of termites. Proper knowledge reduce the work effort and time.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Erin and Mike must had been crushed by this. It's very fortunate that they have friends like you that are not just willing to help, but actually posted this so that other people can prevent it from happening in their own home. Termites are vile, so once you get to notice them, it's time to call some pest control professionals to exterminate them once and for all. Good luck to you as well as to Mike and Erin!
ReplyDeleteAndrea Porter @ KennedyPest.com
Fine pointers. Those are worth taking note of when contemplating about pest control, especially in matters of termites. It's definitely advisable to go through those kinds of efforts measuredly and will all things considered, including that of the environment, since pest control should come at the expense of healthy living. :)
ReplyDeleteAlta Peng @ Liberty Pest Management