I have done Termite work and WDIR Reports. In and around Baltimore for over 16 years .The question is how did my Termites , get into my house ? That answer can be answered in many ways. As
the Rowhouse is built like an insect .The Brick is the hard outer shell, and the inside has its
timber .A hard material ,but soft enough fibers to get damage by Termites.
The basement in early rowhomes were dirt ,later people added poured concrete over the
dirt .This allowed for wood to soil contact .( Though later in the 20 century they were
concrete )Even if it the wood ,was all the way on the top of the sill plate. For the brick walls
were two rows of Bricks. This allows gaps in the walls for the Termites .All Termites need to
gain entry is 1/8 of an inch. This allows the Termites to access the sill plate ,the floors ,the
joists and other Timber, he used in the front and back of the structure .But in some the front or back of the rowhouses, they used wood framing for the brick walls. That often was covered with Bricks as a veneer.
This is another opportunity for the Termite to cause damage ,and wreck havoc. The staircase of the rowhome , a problematic situation. I have seen many Termite
colonies living above ground on the staircases. There was many times this was on the third floor of a rowhome. Yes these were , Eastern Subterranean Termites. Also I have seen tall
mud tubes alone the bottom stairs extending into the first floor.(These stairs had wood to soil
contact in the basement ) .Though this often the case in a Baltimore rowhome. For the
bottom of the stairs are in the soil, as the concrete is just pour around the stairs . This topic of problematic staircases, is another problem for the later built rowhouse. (The early row homes often had gabled roofs) The flat roof and how it may be constructed;
It does have a little slope at least less then 10 degrees ) These flat roofs use felt. In which hot
asphalt is poured over them. Then in the winter the asphalt can become brittle and cracked
.This allows moisture into the roof rafters, joists and cross breams .This moisture can be soaked into the wood, and invite Termites to infest the prone wood. This wood expands as
cross beams across the two rows of bricks on which side of the bearing wall. Inside these two
rows of bricks are small voids. This allows Termites to make mud tubes. That allow the wood to be chewed and eaten by the Termite colony. Also the wood framing if used on certain
rowhomes, in the front and back of the homes. Thus can allow moisture in ,as the two rows of bricks are built into and around the framing of walls .There may be cracks or other voids .In which allow this moisture inside. This with the roof deck, there are piping , fireplace and other
ventilation openings .This can allow water to flow into the walls ,or inside the attic or
directly onto the ceiling .The parapet wall can developed leaks at the base of the wall .These
parapets are usually on the front of the Baltimore rowhome .They are large and have fancy
designs But I have seen and been on roofs ,that have , both the large parapet wall out front
,and two small parapet walls on the left and right side of the rowhome. Also a rare one ,a
small parapet wall on the back of the rowhouse .All of these parapet walls can developed
cracks or voids .As the rowhome settles or brick or roof materials break down .The water
from a rain or snow storm can come in and soak into the structure This allows the Termites
all the elements, a Termite Queen and her colony need to infest. Then reproduce and start a colony In which is Wood and Moisture .
The answer to the question is; Yes Termites can get your rowhome .This is because your
rowhome is more then bricks or Formstone .It has the elements of wood from the basement
to the roof. Also the Eastern Subterranean Termites ,build Mud Tubes .This allows the
Termites ,keep the moisture they need to survive .If Subterranean Termites have enough moisture .They can survive without being in contact with the soil .The vary design in which a
rowhome is vary conducive for Termites .Both the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore
are temperate climates. This allows the Termites to be active late into the winter. If a house has heat and is warmer then the outside .Thus they can thrive and survive .I have treated many swarms, in the cold winter days of Baltimore ,MD . So just remember the Queen and King ,just need 1/8 of an inch get your into rowhome. Though, Yes I know your rowhome is made of bricks
3 Story Rowhome 2 Story Rowhome
