Wood strips in concrete foundation

[John Kogel]

I posted this over in IN as well for fun, kind of a poll.

New construction, poured concrete foundation, they embedded ?X4 wood nailers in the concrete so they could start the vinyl siding down over the concrete. All well and good but I said this provides easy access for termites or ants, especially when the wood gets older and water-soaked.

I believe the wood is pressure treated so it is allowed. What we don't know is this - did they treat the cut ends of every piece?

I said they should dig the wood out of there. I guess this did not go well with the builder. What say y'all?

Click to Enlarge

66.22 KB

Click to Enlarge

87.57 KB

Click to Enlarge

73.85 KB

[Marc]

Depends on the prevalence of sub termites in your area. We have them here like crazy. I'm not sure how I'd write that one up. The vinyl is anchored to it. I've seen that arrangement only once in 11 years.

I usually refer to it as a 'termite welcome mat' but I'd likely call that one a 'termite highway'.

Marc

[John Kogel]

Yes, we have dampwoods and subs, not as prevalent but we all know they are here.

The code book allows treated wood in contact with soil, so the builder has no obligation to change what he did, as I understand it.

[David Meiland]

That's an awful detail. A guy who cared could have simply determined elevation for bottom of siding and stopped the wood there. In most cases you'd be safe assuming 1" below bottom of mudsill. What a putz. Treated doesn't mean it lasts forever, just somewhat longer than untreated.

[kurt]

Yes, putz. I'd probably put it in the report as a minor item. It wouldn't be hard to "surgically" treat those specific areas.

[rdhutch]

You would think that in South East Georgia, where termite activity is extremely high, tha builders would take any precaution to prevent an infestation. That's not the case. I see things like this daily, and it's not always pressure treated. It's even worse on home additions.

[Jerry Lozier]

"Sometimes the local building standards do not address these things, but deficiencies in local enforcement do not make the installation safe or adequate and especially best practice." I think I got that from a past post on TIJ??

That being said: Anybody ever recommend impel or cobra rods??

http://www.westernloghomesupply.com/wha ... estic.html