Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Alan Reagan
TDR MEMBER
I had my annual termite inspection this week and they found that I had wood eating fungus starting under the house. I was skeptical at first but I've used this company for years and they are pretty straight shooters. I did some research on the net and went under and took a look and sure enough, I had it. Fortunately, it was just starting so there was no wood damage that we could find (and we looked). I've been gone for 3. 5 years after the Reserve callups following 9-11. Apparently, the under the house vents were closed last winter and didn't get opened back up.
So all the insulation had to come out along with the vapor barrier. Then, they sprayed all the wood with boric acid. I'm putting in new insulation this week along with a 6 mil vapor barrier. Under the house looks brand new after the treatment.
Also, the guy that does our contract pest control said that my vents were inadequate and that I needed to remove the vents and open the space behind them. I bought the temperature sensitive vents that open at 38*. I started Saturday morning and the first vent took over an hour because I had to remove the block behind it to open the hole for ventilation. When I came out from under the house, there was my pest control tech in his coveralls. He had called my wife and she told him I was doing the replacement. He came over and we managed to replace all of the vents by 3:30 that afternoon.
The best part is that he said it was no charge. He knew I had been gone in the Reserves and he wanted to say thanks for the service. I still tipped him $100 for his time and especially for the use of his power chisel. Plus anytime someone had to go under the house to remove and clear debris, he would take off under there and do it.
There are still some really good people out there.
So all the insulation had to come out along with the vapor barrier. Then, they sprayed all the wood with boric acid. I'm putting in new insulation this week along with a 6 mil vapor barrier. Under the house looks brand new after the treatment.
Also, the guy that does our contract pest control said that my vents were inadequate and that I needed to remove the vents and open the space behind them. I bought the temperature sensitive vents that open at 38*. I started Saturday morning and the first vent took over an hour because I had to remove the block behind it to open the hole for ventilation. When I came out from under the house, there was my pest control tech in his coveralls. He had called my wife and she told him I was doing the replacement. He came over and we managed to replace all of the vents by 3:30 that afternoon.
The best part is that he said it was no charge. He knew I had been gone in the Reserves and he wanted to say thanks for the service. I still tipped him $100 for his time and especially for the use of his power chisel. Plus anytime someone had to go under the house to remove and clear debris, he would take off under there and do it.
There are still some really good people out there.
