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Wood to Earth

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207
The photo below is one of the most common sights at a home inspection. That is not so much the case at new homes, but it is often the case at older homes. That is especially true if the people in the home have lived there long enough to do some gardening. This is wood to earth contact.

In Washington State, wood to earth contact is a concern the inspector must call out, if he or she is a licensed structural pest inspector. The problem is that, over time, earth against wood will always lead to decay, infestation by wood destroying insects or both. Even pressure treated lumber will eventually decay over the years. I always recommend to people moving into homes that they make sure that there is clearance between their plants and the structure. I also suggest that they maintain several inches clearance between the wood and soil and grade the soil back so there is a slope away from the home.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Roy A. Peterson
Domicile Analysis of Texas - El Paso, TX
P.R.E.I.

These little guy here loves to snack on wood, the worst part is he calls on the whole clan to join him in the Fiesta.

 

                          ~ Newbie 

Oct 10, 2008 01:52 PM
Sean Allen
International Financing Solutions - Fort Myers, FL
International Financing Solutions

hhhmmm, I would think that wood to earth any any part of the USA would be a bad thing for termites and rot.

Sean Allen

Oct 10, 2008 02:52 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Sean,

You are right on that. However, I think this might be the only state where the dept of agriculture fines us if we do not call it out. Roy, nice pet you got there.

Oct 10, 2008 03:05 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Steve, Here in our area, this leaves the property prone to WDO infestations as we do have sub-terrainian termites here...

Oct 10, 2008 09:05 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Michael,

Same here, wood to earth leads to not only decay but easy access by wood destroying insects as well.

Oct 11, 2008 02:43 AM