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Preparing for a termite inspection.....

By Jane Rivers

Home Inspector with Arden Termite And Pest Control

October 23, 2007 05:23 AM

While it is called a "Termite Inspection" it is officially a "Structural Pest Control Inspection." In addition to termites, the inspector will also be looking for fungus and water damage and for conditions such as plumbing leaks or earth to wood contact that can lead to termite or fungus damage. For a complete inspection, there are a few things you can do to prepare for the inspector: Remove any storage from the areas under sinks in the kitchens & bathrooms. Remove any storage from the area within two feet of the exterior of the house Remove any storage in the interior of the garage two feet away from the wall. Trim back any bushes or ground cover that conceals the walls or foundation. If your home is built on a raised foundation, the inspector will go under the house. Be sure the access opening to the subarea is not blocked by storage. Please call (916) 338-4700 if you have any questions.

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Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

That's interesting that the termite inspection includes a fungus inspection in your neck of the woods because it's beyond the scope of the inspector here. Yes, he'll note if there are any obstructions and foliage touching the house which might invite future termites, but not if there is any water damage or fungus. The inspection here is actually called a "wood destroying insect" inspection, so they look for carpenter ants as well. Fungus is not an insect.

Oct 23, 2007 06:00 AM

Anonymous

Bob The Bugman

Mold and fungi are indeed wood destroying organisms and shoulddefinitely be listed on a Wood Destroying Insect Report. We use the same form here in Maryland. There is a slight difference in state requirements, but if there is mold and its destroying wood, it needs to be listed and graphed. Mold is usually the result of a moisture issue. Moisture not only invites mold, it invites termites as well as carpenter ants.

Check out http://www.bobthebugman.com/guide/fungus.html

Dec 20, 2007 02:54 PM

Matt McLaughlin

The Pest Force - Myrtle Beach, SC

Official South Carolina Wood Infestation Report in SC. This form states that reporting on fungi and fungi damag is limited to below the first main floor. See my blog at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1000046/OFFICIAL-SOUTH-CAROLINA-WOOD-INFESTATION-REPORT-Part-1

Mar 27, 2009 03:43 PM

Preparing for a termite inspection.....

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Jane Rivers

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