Termites
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Termites and other wood destroying insects are a
major concern for anyone when it comes time to purchase a home. Most
lending agencies require an official Wood Destroying Insect
Inspection by a contractor that is licensed with the Structural Pest
Control Board. The inspection is designed to let the lending agency
know that the home is basically structurally sound. It is not a
structural damage report or even a warranty as the absence of the
insects. It is a visual inspection only. There are numerous areas of
the property that are not accessible to the inspector for
inspection. While there is no way to be assured that the home is
termite free, a visual inspection is still an invaluable service.
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The Wood Destroying Insect Inspection is also designed
to notify customers of potential problem areas know as conducive
conditions. Conducive conditions are conditions that will invite the
termites and other insects into the home. If you are getting your
home ready to put on the market, there are some things that can be
done to help insure that the inspection goes smoothly.
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- Remove any wood that is stacked next the foundation. Having a
pile of wood next to the house is like putting out bait for
termites.
- Make sure that the soil next to the home is not above the
brick ledge. Not only does this condition allow ground water to
seep into the weep holes of the brick wall; it also allows
termites direct access into home.
- If the home in question has a pier and beam foundation,
inspect the crawlspace! If there are any areas of excessive
moisture, you've got some work to do. Termites thrive in rotten
wood and humid areas. Any leaky shower pans or plumbing pipes will
need to be fixed in order to obtain a clear Wood Destroying Insect
Report.
- Remove any excess vegetation from the exterior of the home.
- Make sure that stored items are not blocking the inspectors
access to areas like the attic & crawlspace. The inspector
needs to have full access to the home in order to perform a
complete inspection.
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