Your South Florida Termite Inspections Authority
Termite inspections are one of many residential and commercial inspections that National Home Inspection & Mold Services can offer. Our InterNACHI certified inspectors can thoroughly examine your building and its components for signs and symptoms of termites as well as other WDOs (wood destroying organisms). The inspection will include looking for the insects or organisms themselves or for tell-tale damage by them. If you live in the South Florida Region, then it is important to have termite inspections for your home or office regularly.
What are Termites and WDOs
Termites are small insects that are similar in size to ants but generally light in color. They form colonies and tend to eat dead plant matter and cellulose. This can come in the form of dead leaves, animal waste, and wood. When they aren’t infesting your home, they provide a natural service by helping to recycle material back into the earth. But when they have invaded your living area, they can cause severe damage. Termites tend to burrow into the wood of your home before consuming it, so the damage can be missed for some time. But as the termite colony continues to grow, they become harder and harder to ignore.
There are other organisms, besides termites, that consume the wood of your home as well. These wood destroying organisms can include decay and fungi that has been allowed to grow and weaken the surrounding structure. It can also include certain species of beetles that consume wood. Our specially trained and licensed inspectors know where to look and how to identify all the signs and symptoms that an infestation is present or was once present. Because even if an infestation has passed, the damage may still be done.
Why is Termite Inspection Necessary?
Having a licensed and specially trained termite and WDO inspector, such as National Home Inspection & Mold Services, is important because of the many ways termite damage can go unnoticed. Even if there is no clear visual sign that termites or other organisms have begun to deal damage to the structure of your home, our inspectors are trained to look for more subtle or easy to miss clues.
The longer a wood destroying organism is allowed to feast upon the body of your house, the weaker it can become. Weak spots and holes created by these pests can allow larger pests access to your home or they can create an area that could collapse. Even parts of the home that termites don’t consume, such as water pipes, could be damaged if a termite’s broken beam punctures it.
If you are selling your home, having a termite inspection may be vital. Because damage by termites and WDOs can go unseen, potential buyers may be wary even if no outward signs are noticeable. Having a thorough report, by a professional, termite certified inspection team, clearing the residential or commercial property can be a great way to put buyers at ease and increase the chances of a sale.
The Termite Inspections Process
- Live Termites: The inspector will first look for any living termites or wood destroying organisms. This is a pretty clear sign that an infestation may be possible, or at least beginning.
- Evidence of Termites: Even if no living organisms are found, other evidence may be noticeable. Feces, trails, dead specimens, or sagging floors or ceilings can be indicators that an infestation is possible.
- Damage: Another clear sign that termites or other WDOs are present is damage that is typically caused by them. However, damage could mean that an infestation once occurred but is now over, or it could be an indication that the infestation is ongoing.
- Previous Treatment: Our inspectors look for any sign that the area has been treated for termites in the past. This may indicate that any damage or signs seen may be from a previous infestation.
- Poor Access Areas: Some areas offer limited access for our inspectors, such as a particularly tight crawl space, unsafe flooring in the attic, or inaccessible spaces behind walls or under floors. These unchecked areas will be mentioned in the report.
After your inspector has thoroughly examined your residential or commercial property, you will receive a detailed termite inspections report. The report will either give the home a “clear” status or will detail all the trouble area that were identified. We’ve designed our reports to be easy-to-read and highly detailed so that you don’t miss a thing.
After the Termite Inspection
Because termites and other wood destroying organisms can find themselves anywhere in the home or office, it is possible that certain signs of damage may slip past even the most thorough and well-trained inspector. Inaccessible areas, such as behind walls, cluttered crawl spaces, or under the floor can be home to termites without them being discovered during termite inspections.
Having a thorough history of the inspections that the home has received can be an important tool to getting the most out of your current inspection
If you live in the South Florida Region and would like your residential or commercial property inspected for termites or wood destroying organisms, then call National Home Inspection & Mold Services at 561-445-8384 today. And if you are buying or selling the property, our services can go a long way to making the sale go smoothly and professionally.