Archive | Exterior Siding

Floor Framing Repair in Milwaukie, Oregon… Wood Boring Beetles, Carpenter Ants, and Dry Rot Oh My

By Robin Bragg on November 15, 2018 in Carpenter Ants, Dry Rot Repair, Exterior Siding

In the Pacific Northwest, the damage to your home from the elements and pests cannot be underestimated. This Milwaukie, Oregon home had extensive damage from Wood Boring beetles, Carpenter Ants, and Dry Rot — this trifecta caused extensive home exterior damage. Bragg Construction arrived on the scene to completely reconstruct one entire end of the house after it had dropped approximately 2 inches due to the hollowed floor joists.

Removal of damaged home exterior material from Milwaukie, Oregon home with damage from Wood Boring Beetles, Carpenter Ants, and Dry Rot by Bragg Construction

Inspection, Damage Assessment, and Identification of the Villains:

The home was a one-level ranch house with a brick facade with faulty drip flashing. To understand more about the downward spiral of water damage please read this previous blog post. Encouraged by the intrusion of water, some villainous insects had clearly caused damage. Research was done to determine the presence of both Carpenter Ants and Wood Boring Beetles. To learn more about Wood Boring Beetles please check out the OSU insect identification page.

A view of the home exterior damage caused by failed flashing between the home siding and brick facade and faulty roofing allowed water to enter the home’s frame

Navigating the crawl space and inspecting the floor framing, we determined at least 6 floor joist were nearly completely hollowed. A pocket-knife went through a 2 inch thick timber, wood powder came raining down, and it was time to remove the exterior siding to get started with the replacement of the floor timbers!

Home exterior view of damage caused by dry rot, Carpenter Ants, and Wood Boring Beetles

Jacking the house up

Notice the 3 wall jacks that were neaded to lift the hosue 2 inches

Removing the joists

Bragg Construction jacked the house up in order to remove the joists. Again, the Boring Beetles had done extensive damage, notice all of the holes in the joists.

Close-up of wood with Wood Boring Beetles exist holes in fir floor joist.

The core of the wood was hollow. The exterminator came in prior to Bragg Construction coming in to do the repairs.

Wood Boring Beetle Damage to Floor Joists

Shreds and powder are all that remains of this floor joist removed due to Wood Boring Beetle damage.

New sill plate and Joists

Bragg Construction inserted 4 full length 12′ floor joists.

View of the 4 new 12′ lumber floor joists.

Straight on view of the new sill plate and floor joists

Rim Band Put in Place For Completion

Rim band goes into place to complete the repair.

Dry rot repair for home exterior in Milwaukie, Oregon

By Robin Bragg on March 14, 2018 in Dry Rot Repair, Exterior Siding

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Bragg Construction was recently called out to a home in Milwaukie, Oregon to repair dry rot and reside the home exterior. Upon arrival the dry rot was so severe that in was obvious that dry rot repair needed to be done before new siding could be installed and new paint could be applied. Faulty flashing around the chimney chase had allowed years of water intrusion to cause damage to the siding, sheathing, and framing.

Dry rot framing for the chimney chase to removed and replaced

Dry rotted corner post removed from Milwaukie, Oregon home

Subfloor and sil plate framing with dry rot in need of removal

Removal of siding and plywood wall sheathing:

This home had what is called by some as “double wall construction”. What that means is that there is a layer of standard plywood on the outside of the wall studs. Felt paper was then applied to the plywood “sheathing”. Over the top of the tar paper a layer of cedar siding was applied. ALL of these items were rotten and deteriorated and had to be removed. About 6 wall studs had dry rot that must be removed.

Surgical removal of wall studs:

Dry rot is a fungus that destroys wood. Dry rot must be removed and replaced. Careful removal of wall studs, (which hold up the house), are removed and replaced a few at a time. Knowing how a house is built is useful knowledge when disassembling and rebuilding. A lot of dry rot removal is more than just surface repair.

surgical removing of dry rotted framing chimney chase

Surgical removal of dry rotted framing chimney chase

Rebuilding of the firebox surround:

Wall studs, top and bottom plate and even portions of the sub flooring are carved out in a logical and careful way and replaced. New plywood sheathing is cut fitted and nailed. A new “Improved vapor barrier” is installed.

Rebuilding of dry rotted with sil plate, sub-flooring, and wall studs

two wall studs, rebuilt base, and all the tools to remove dry rot

All of the tools to remove dry rot

Exterior siding installed:

This home is now ready for new siding and paint. Cedar or cement siding are 2 good options for siding. Both options will last a long time if properly maintained with caulking and Paint.

Chimney chase with new siding from top to bottom

Finished home exterior painting and cleanup:

Bragg Construction and Remodeling does multi-trade projects. On this home we repaired a large amount of dry rot, repaired framing, installed plywood sheathing, “improved Vapor barrier”, lap siding, caulking and paint. Dry rot repair is complete.

Window Removal and New Siding for Clackamas County Home

By Robin Bragg on March 7, 2018 in Dry Wall Repair, Exterior Home Painting, Exterior Siding, Windows

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Bragg Construction was called out to a Milwaukie, Oregon home for window removal. The client was looking for more wall space for cabinets during their kitchen remodel which meant closing off and removing a window. After the window was removed, new wall studs were installed, insulation put in the wall, interior drywall was installed, exterior vapor barrier was inserted followed by new siding, new caulking, new painting and worksite cleanup — let us show you how it was done.

Window removal:

One piece of siding was carefully removed to determine if an exact match was available. Once the match was found the material was ordered and put on stand by so that the install could be done with out hesitation. The window was removed and set aside for donation.

Beginning of window removal project

New wall studs with insulation:

New wall studs, (2 x 4’s), were installed into the window opening, plywood sheathing was cut, fit and nailed to the exterior and insulation was fitted to the interior.

New wall studs in place after window removal

Interior drywall:

drywall was installed to the interior, taped, mud and plaster, ready for the cabinet install.

Exterior vapor barrier:

Modern “Improved Vapor Barrier” was installed over the plywood sheathing to prevent moisture intrusion.

Exterior vapor barrier to protect against water intrusion

New siding, new caulking, new painting:

The new siding was a nearly perfect match and not noticeable at just 3 feet back from the surface. Precision caulking and 2 coats of paint finish the project to the complete satisfaction of the client.

New siding, new caulking, and new painting on home exterior

Work site cleanup:

Bragg Construction and Remodeling of Clackamas Oregon cleans up after all projects. We are skilled multi- trade craftsmen who take pride in our work and do not consider our work complete until the clean up is done. We love our work and consider it a privilege to serve you.

If you have a window removal project, please consider contacting Bragg Construction and Remodeling at 503-341-0884.

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