Western WA pole building - Bug issue or leak from gutter above???

[diyengineer]

A house with out building i recently purchased had sat on the market for sale for 10 months or so. meanwhile the gutters were clogged and in WA we get a ton of rain. One of the corners of the building seem to be affected by the clogged down spouts, and i believe had water overflow into the inside rotting out the 2x4's mounted to the treated pole. I pressed a screw driver through the rotted 2x4 and it was "soakin wet". I keep sweeping up "saw dust" looking stuff from that corner also...?! Now im wondering if i have some type of rot/bugs or both? I'm taking the entire week of labor day to address this issue and peel back the corner of the building, and rebuild whatever i find affected. I will for sure take a ton of photos and will load what i can onto the forum. The entire building has nothing that looks like this at all, just this corner!

Any bug pro's or water damage experts here?

 

[diyengineer]

Just dropped a bunch of any shield around the outside of my building. never noticed, but i have a ton of ants around the gravel yard. Time to go ant hunting..

 

[cycle_gator]

Definitely have dry rot. it is possible the ants are carving off the rotten wood and carrying it away. But normally that species of ants is not harmful to a healthy structure. Now, it they were pure black and about 25% larger, you have an insect problem.

 

[cqaigy2]

I've treated similar with a spray made of water and boric acid. Treated a few times and the ant disappeared. Its suppose to be toxic to certain insects.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Time you called an exterminator for consultation both before and after you open things up. Looks like carpenter ants to me. Didn't this crop up on your inspection when you bought the place? Hidden damage can get very expensive especially if you are not a good carpenter.

Ron

 

[diyengineer]

Time you called an exterminator for consultation both before and after you open things up. Looks like carpenter ants to me. Didn't this crop up on your inspection when you bought the place? Hidden damage can get very expensive especially if you are not a good carpenter.

Ron

No the inspection didn't cover outbuildings only the primary residence.

I'm a good carpenter, ill thow up some repair photos. Hopefully the main pole is in decent condition.

 

[Cap-n-Cray]

You may be dealing with Moisture Ants or Corn Ants. They destroy wood by making nests. They are natures demo crew. I have dealt with them here on the Island. I have even seen them alive in pressure treated wood. They must be getting water from some source, cut of the water and they will go away. Then repair the damage and they can damage, I tore off the front of a house following their damage. They almost caused the garage to collapse by removing the center of a 4" X 14" beam.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay since everyone from Wa St is chiming in here, I will too... I agree with cqaigy2. A boric acid solution has been effective for me too. There are several good videos and info on youtube that show how and results.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Getting into chemicals, here is one that is not a chemical, a natural product, diatomaceous earth. I but it in 50# bags at the farm store. It works great on all type ants and also slugs.

Ron

 

[diyengineer]

Ok, finally got around to peeling off the outside.. Glad i did.. Or not.. Haha. Needless to say we had a water leak somewhere from above destroying all the non treated wood on the pressure treated post, which invited these small red ant/ termite things in. Pole looks in decent shape removed all rotted wood, waiting for the weekend to carve off any damaged pole structure. Seems like pole below ground is ok. Around the 6' to 8' tall area is a little concern with the water! Bug damage. Can these be spliced? What's the usual method of repair minus installing a new pole?