Termite Damage: Flooring

When it comes to termite damage, you know to check the walls and foundation of your home, but have you ever considered checking the flooring? Pro-Staff, termite inspection Des Moines experts, want you to be aware of what could indicate a termite infestation in your flooring. 

Closeup of a light brown wooden floor

Wood Flooring

While hardwood flooring may show evidence of termite damage, it can be hard for homeowners to recognize. If the infestation has been left untreated long enough, wood flooring may start to become weak and give way under just general use. But because termites prefer to feed on softwoods rather than hardwoods, it can take years for damage to build up. Instead, look for these signs that your wood flooring is damaged.

Squeaky Floors

Excessive squeaking when you walk across your hardwood floor can indicate damage. Because termite damage weakens floors wherever they have been feeding, such as the supports, subfloor, and floor surfaces, these spots become more sensitive to movement. This can cause the floorboards to move, squeaking or creaking as they run against each other or nails.

Hollow sounding

Similar to your walls, if your flooring sounds hollow, it can be due to termite damage. When termites feed on flooring, they create cavities in places such as the floors, baseboards, or even nearby walls. Tap on your floors. If they sound hollow, it’s time to call in a professional. 

Closeup of a medium brown floor

Laminate Flooring

You may think that because it’s not made of wood, your laminate flooring is safe from the tiny jaws of termites. However, termites can cause damage to the underlying flooring of laminate. This damage often looks similar to water damage. The laminate will blister or sag in any of the affected areas. When laminate flooring is damaged by termites, it’s often necessary to rip the laminate up entirely in order to isolate the infestation. 

At Pro-Staff, your termite inspection Des Moines professionals, we guarantee 100 percent control of subterranean termites. By using a commercial-grade termiticide, Termidor, we will treat both the interior and exterior of your home for termite damage. Over one million structures have been treated using Termidor — without any callbacks or retreatments. To learn more about our termite control, give us a call at (515) 279-7378.