We often remind our readers of the importance of regular termite inspections for homeowners. And of course, termite inspections are required by lenders for almost all real estate transactions. But you might be wondering what termite inspectors are actually looking for. After all, if termites live within the walls of a home, how do we find them?
Termite inspectors access hidden areas of the home. First, keep in mind that we need to access every area of the home – even the ones that homeowners, home buyers, and real estate agents often don’t inspect themselves! We will need to check out your crawl space, look in your attic, explore your garage, and inspect hidden areas in cabinets, closets, and so on. We are very thorough.
Termite inspectors look for signs of termite activity. More so than spotting the insects themselves, we’re looking for evidence of their destructive activities. These signs are often overlooked by the casual observer, but stick out like a sore thumb to trained eyes! We can spot mud tubes and shed wings very quickly, and then there are signs like “sawdust” (actually termite waste products). We can also tell a lot from the sound wood makes when we knock on it. A hollow sound means termite damage! And we can discover termite tunnels very easily, because they run parallel to the grain of the wood.
Termite inspectors find damage. Where there are termites, there will be damage. A termite inspector can estimate the extent of the damage, so that you have a solid understanding of the investment required to get the home back into good shape.
Termites are one of the most expensive and extensive ways that a home can be damaged. But even if we find evidence of termite activity, that doesn’t mean you should give up on a particular property. You do need an accurate assessment of the extent of the problem, along with an idea of the cost to eradicate the termites and return the home to its former glory. Give us a call if you’re considering a real estate purchase, and we can perform all of these services for you.