Termite Inspections For Your Home: A Must-Do For Any Buyer or Seller

For anyone involved in buying or selling a home, the word “termite” may send chills up your spine.  Termites cause billions of dollars of damage each year, more than fires and floods in the U.S.  For a seller, finding termites can mean a longer road to selling your home.  For a buyer, it may dash your dreams of the perfect house.

Fortunately, a little bit of prevention goes a long way in preserving your home from termite infestation.  Even if you don’t suspect termites being an issue in your home or the home you want to buy, getting your home inspected for termites will certainly put you at ease.

Termites aren’t always easy to spot.  Depending on the kind of termite, their damage may not exactly be evident to an untrained eye.  For example, the subterrain termite can consume up to 15 pounds of wood in a week, making their damage easier to spot.  The flying dry wood termite, however, can live in several types of clients, even those not prone to moisture.  Their damage – although just as severe – can take years to notice.

So what should you look for?  Any ground source that connects with wood on your home is a potential gateway to termites.

• Tap the wooded area with a hammer, and if it sounds hollow, call an inspector right away.
• You’ll also be able to spot termites if you notice a swarm of them outside your window, often attracted to indoor light.
• Outside, you can also look for “shelter tubes,” which are tunnels that termites construct in wood or soil along your house.
• Lastly, if you see termite wings on your windowsill or in cobwebs, that’s a sign that they’ve probably infested the home. Call an exterminator right away.

We’ve designed a quick video on termite inspection that should give you a better understanding of how to prevent termites or how to treat them.  As you look to buy or sell, always remember to get your home inspected first – no one wants termites to ruin their new home experience.