How to find, treat and restore dry-rotted and termite damaged glue laminated timber beams.

Glue laminated timber beam, also called Glulam beams, are a widely used building material in the construction industry.

Strongly built and highly adaptable to a variety of uses, they were a natural choice for use as decorative exterior beams in the refurbishment of The Nealy House, a 2,500 square foot wood-and-stone Craftsman style house located in Rialto, California. Originally built in 1910, it was restored to beauty and functionality by John C. Morgan, owner of Morgan Framing, Inc. and Professional Builders Services, who converted the landmark home into a 6,300 square foot office building. Using superior products and workmanship, as well as an eye for style, beauty and history, the building was completed and ready for occupancy in 2002.

John Found that maintaining his wooden building was a big job, perhaps even bigger than he originally bargained for. Currently, monthly inspections are necessary to keep the building in good working order and to prevent any issues from becoming larger and more expensive over time. This was a lesson that was hard-earned. In 2010, due to a heavy a workload and pressing health issues, the building was not inspected for an entire year. When the inspection was finally conducted in January, 2011, "...it was like it had been attacked by termites and paint failure," according to John. Dry rot and termite damage was found throughout the exterior of the building, mostly in the Glulam beams.

In an attempt to mitigate the damage, John began researching how and why there was such extensive paint failure in his building and what he could do to prevent this failure in the future. The surprising answer came when he realized that the dark paint color, a high quality Frazee paint, was to blame.

Dark colors absorb more heat than lighter colors, causing expansion and contraction.

This expansion and contraction causes cracks, allowing moisture in. Dry rot and an open invitation are the result.

John began the repairs in February 2011, using techniques and products listed in Fine Home Building, the renowned construction magazine. Nothing suggested there solved the problem, but he was resolved that he didn't need to change his paint color, he needed to change his approach. He scoured the internet, researching every website he could find dealing with dry rot and termites. He checked government websites, universities, marine/boat products, everywhere he could think of. John and his crew tried it all.

As a last resort, experts from Dunn Edwards were invited to the property to share their suggestions. Everything they mentioned had already been tried and failed. Expansion and contraction due to the dark paint color continued to wreak havoc on the exterior of the building.

As his wit's end, John came across a manufacture in Florida that made a flexible epoxy. "Most of the time, when we thing of epoxy, we think of concrete. This product dried hard but has microscopic give," he shared. "It was very expensive. I also found a primer that would stick to anything."

These products were finally giving results that John needed. The protocol John uses is as follows:

• Clean the areas to be repaired and treated. Complete any sanding or preparation needed.

• Apply the epoxy primer.

• Apply the epoxy bonding agent within 24 hours of applying the primer.

• Prime the epoxy repairs within 24 hours of applying the epoxy. DO NOT prime the tops of the beams.

• Drill holes and place Bor8 rods (wood preservative), place rods in holes and insert plastic plugs to seal the holes.

• Apply Boracare (insecticide) to the top of the beams.

• Inject Jecta Gel (insecticide) into the bolt holes

• Apply Geocel 2300 (sealant) to the lag bolt threads or the shank of the bolt before installing.

• Install the venting mesh on the top of the beams and reinstall the sheet metal flashings using new screws.

• Paint the finished repairs.