Buying your first home is exciting as well
as exhausting. Once you move in and settle down, relaxing in your new surroundings
is probably at the top of your mind and rightly so –you have earned it.
However, being a homeowner means that you now have additional responsibilities.
A primary one is protecting the house. You would have had the necessary
structural and pest inspections done before closing the deal, but things can
change quickly and what was not a danger when the deal was closed could be one
tomorrow. Right at the top of the list is
the dangers of a termite infestation.
Here are the termite basics you need to know:
• Why Is Termite Infestation a Cause for Concern: Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage every year in the U.S. Anything made of wood or other cellulose material is at risk of being consumed and the damage could be in the range of thousands of dollars; in extreme cases, the structure itself could be at risk. You need to stay protected against termites; an inspection that showed that they were not a threat in the past is of no value in the present.
• The Signs of an Infestation: Insect wings around windows and doors, minute traces of insect droppings, small piles of sawdust near anything wooden, wood that sounds hollow when tapped and tiny mud tubes through which some types of termites travel are among the most common signs of termites. There are many others - all are easy to overlook and it usually needs a trained eye to be able to spot them.
• The DIY Risk: A new homeowner is often motivated to take the DIY route for home maintenance and repairs. This is fine for routine work, but termites are indeed a menace and taking chances with DIY efforts is not worth the risk. Amateur handling of termite control will not yield good results and the termites will soon return. Another possibility is that they may retreat deeper into the wood and continue to inflict damage while you relax thinking that you have dealt with the problem.
• Finding a Termite Control Company: Check online for companies in your area – there will probably be a lot of them. Look for a company that offers a full range of services, is well established, has a top-class track record and also offers a warranty on the services it provides. The warranty indicates that the company is reliable and offers good quality work.
• The Type of Treatment to Be Chosen: There are a number of treatment options, each with its own benefits. Leave it to the experts to decide on what is best for your home.
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| Image Courtesy: Pexels |
• Why Is Termite Infestation a Cause for Concern: Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage every year in the U.S. Anything made of wood or other cellulose material is at risk of being consumed and the damage could be in the range of thousands of dollars; in extreme cases, the structure itself could be at risk. You need to stay protected against termites; an inspection that showed that they were not a threat in the past is of no value in the present.
• The Signs of an Infestation: Insect wings around windows and doors, minute traces of insect droppings, small piles of sawdust near anything wooden, wood that sounds hollow when tapped and tiny mud tubes through which some types of termites travel are among the most common signs of termites. There are many others - all are easy to overlook and it usually needs a trained eye to be able to spot them.
• The DIY Risk: A new homeowner is often motivated to take the DIY route for home maintenance and repairs. This is fine for routine work, but termites are indeed a menace and taking chances with DIY efforts is not worth the risk. Amateur handling of termite control will not yield good results and the termites will soon return. Another possibility is that they may retreat deeper into the wood and continue to inflict damage while you relax thinking that you have dealt with the problem.
• Finding a Termite Control Company: Check online for companies in your area – there will probably be a lot of them. Look for a company that offers a full range of services, is well established, has a top-class track record and also offers a warranty on the services it provides. The warranty indicates that the company is reliable and offers good quality work.
• The Type of Treatment to Be Chosen: There are a number of treatment options, each with its own benefits. Leave it to the experts to decide on what is best for your home.
Buying a home is the biggest investment you
will make and you deserve to enjoy your house in peace and comfort. Having the
home professionally checked for termite infestations and having treatment done either to get rid of them or
prevent them from getting in will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy
your new home. The warranty that you get from a professional termite control company
will keep you secure for a long time.
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