Termite Inspections

Many people today are aware of the benefits of a home inspection before making one of the biggest purchases of their lives. In addition to a home inspection, buyers should be concerned whether their potential home is termite friendly. If your newly purchased home is infested with termites, they can turn your dream home into a house of horrors, and even financial ruin. The extra money you have to pay for a termite inspection pales in comparison to the money spent for repairs and replacement of wood members and other structural components.

                                                               Subterranean Termites

Here in the northeast, many homes are infested with Subterranean Termites. They live in underground colonies or in moist, secluded areas above ground that can contain up to 2 million members. There are several different types of termites that make up this massive colony. The worker termite is cream-colored and about 1/8 to 3/8's of an inch in length. The soldier termite, which is of similar body length as the worker termite, is distinguished by its powerful mandibles or claw-like pinches. Then there is the reproductive subterranean termite which is approximately 1 inch in length. Together they will cause costly damage to the wood members of any home. Only water intrusion is more costly than termite damage.

                                                                 The Damage

The subterranean termite attacks the wood members in the house such as the floor joist, wood beams, wall studs, wood floors, and sill plates, to name a few.  The outside of the wood members looks fine and sound because they do not eat the outside.  Rather they eat away the inside causing the wooden member to weaken causing considerable structural damage. The picture below shows termite damage found at a home inspection in the crawl space entrance. Above the crawl space is a bathroom with a continuous leak from the toilet down to the crawlspace, perfect for a termite colony.

The above picture is a wet sill plate.  This is a conducive condition for termites since they need moisture to survive.

Remember where there's moisture, there is the possibility of termites. Where there's termites, there is always moisture. Preventing and quickly repairing leaks and water intrusion is a key to keeping your potential home from becoming termite friendly.

CLOSER LOOK PROPERTY INSPECTIONS INC.

For more on the value of a home inspection, visit:

www.closerlookpi.com

www.abrooklynhomeinspector.com

or schedule an inspection call 516-455-6742