A termite infestation can cause thousands
of dollars of damage to your home. By the time you see the signs of the
infestation, a great deal of damage may already have been done. Regular termite
inspections by a professional termite
control company is the best way to spot signs
of termites early and take action to remove them before extensive damage
occurs. Each company will have its own way of carrying out the inspection, but
there are basic actions that they all do. By doing your part in preparing the
house for the inspection you can make the
process go faster and help the inspector do his job efficiently. Here’s how to
go about it.
Provide
Access
- Garages are often messy and cluttered. Move everything 2 feet away for the walls to allow the inspector to have a clear view of where the walls meet the floor slab. The expansion joints are a common point of entry for termites.
- The attic is another place that is often cluttered. Use the inspection to get rid of all the unwanted junk and tidy up the place. This will give you more usable space, reduce places where termites could nest and above all make it easier for the inspector to do a thorough inspection.
- If your house has a raised foundation, the inspector will have to go under the house to look for signs of termites. Clear away anything that could block access to the crawl space.
- Clear anything kept under the bathroom and kitchen sinks so the inspector can check for signs of leakage and evidence of termites.
What
the Inspector Will Look For
The inspector is a trained expert who will
be able to spot signs of termite that you may not notice. That being said, no
one knows your house as well as you do so spending some time looking for the
following signs of termites and informing the inspector of anything you may
find will help him to work faster and complete the inspection quickly to reduce
the disruption to the home routine. Look for:
·
Signs of termites:
- Termite droppings
- Evidence of swarms (such as discarded wings)
- Mud tubes
- Hollow or damaged wood
- Live termites
·
Potential termite access points:
- Cracks in the foundation around plumbing
- Expansion joints (found in the garage and other places)
- Hollow block walls
- The side of foundation walls and piers
- Conditions that may lead to future termite infestations:
- Plumbing leaks
- Wood-to-soil contact
Questions
to ask the Inspector
If termites are found, ask the following
questions so you know exactly what the control process will involve:
o
What treatment is going to be
used?
o
How extensive is the
infestation?
o
What will the treatment cost?
o
Are there options to provide
for extended protection?
o
What type of guarantee is
given?
o
How long will it take and how will the household be
disrupted?
Regular termite inspections
and control measures by experts are
the best way to protect your home and your family.
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