Termite Inspection
No Home, Condo, or Business is Safe From Termites and Other Wood Destroying Insects!
Termites and other wood destroying insects are extremely well organized and can find a way into any structure regardless of its construction or age. The biggest problem with termites and wood destroying insects is that you usually don't see them or the damage they cause until it's too late. In fact, the annual cost of termite damage to buildings in the United States is greater than that of fires, storms, and floods combined.Why Do a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection During The Home Buying Process?
The purpose of any inspection in the home buying process (including a termite inspection) is to provide a clear untainted view of the conditions that exist at the premises on the date of the inspection. A clear, professional, and unbiased inspection will help you to make a more informed investment decision. Getting a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection prior to purchasing a house will let you know if there is an active termite infestation, damage from active or inactive infestations, and what can be done to avoid future infestations.Why Do Follow Up Inspections Every Year?
A termite inspection can only confirm that termites and wood destroying insects are present at the time of inspection. Termites and other wood destroying insects are always tunneling and foraging for wood. They can't tell the difference between a dead tree and your house. If they come across your home's foundation while foraging, they'll follow any cracks or crevices they can find into your home and make themselves at home. Getting an annual inspection will help catch colonies before they become mature colonies and will help to minimize the damage they can do to your house.Why Use a Licensed Inspector Rather Than a Pesticide Application Company?
When inspecting for termites, it's extremely important to hire a termite inspector whose primary business is not that of treating for wood destroying insects. Inspectors whose primary business is treating for wood destroying insects have a vested interest in finding such insects and may not give you an unbiased inspection. At 411 Inspection Services we are trained as pesticide applicators, but our focus is on finding and tracking termite colonies and other wood destroying insects, not on treating for them. To date I have not purchased or applied pesticides to a single house including my own.A Basic Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Includes:
- A visual inspection of the property including attics, basements, crawl spaces and the exterior perimeter of all buildings.
- A written report with our findings. The report will also cover any existing conditions that are conducive to infestation.
- Recommendations on how to prevent termites and wood destroying insects from entering the home.
Prevention and Maintenance Recommendations:
Listed below are some basic steps that can be taken to make your home less inviting to termites and other wood destroying insects.- Eliminate any standing water and its source.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean, in good repair, and free of clogs.
- Use gutter splash blocks to move water away from your home.
- Maintain proper ventilation in attics and crawl spaces.
- Remove obstructions that prevent access to crawl spaces.
- Repair leaking plumbing and leaking drainage under the house.
- Remove scrap lumber and firewood from beneath and around the house.
- Stack firewood off the ground and away from the house.
- Remove any tree stumps that may be on the property.
- Trim all shrubs and bushes so they are at least 12 inches from the house.
- Make sure there isn't any contact of household wood to soil.
- Keep the exterior wood trim painted and in good repair.
- Seal all cracks.
- Screen all vents.
How Can You Legally Protect Yourself When Buying a Home?
The buyer(s) should get a representation from the seller that, to the best of the seller's knowledge, there has never been a wood destroying insect infestation and if there has been, the seller should provide evidence that the property was treated by a licensed applicator. However, such a representation is limited to the seller's knowledge and therefore cannot replace an actual inspection by a Licensed Inspector.To learn more, contact 411 Inspections Services today
at 201-530-1553.
