Often, we will come across wood building materials such as wood columns, beams etc. that has been damaged as a result of rot due to excessive moisture, termites, fire, or overloading. However, one other possible cause of damage to wood building materials was observed during evaluation of the balconies in a community located in Fairfax, Virginia. A nest was discovered inside a wood post encasing, and as seen in the photos, the wood post had some loss of section likely due to the wildlife chewing at the post to make room for its new home. Like any other cause damage, this can have an impact on the structural integrity of the building component and would require repair and/or replacement. So, while evaluating structural components of a building remember you may have to invade a little critter’s home.
