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Termite Inspections: Everything You Need To Know (2024)

Termites – the silent destroyers haven’t spared us, even in 2024. They can cause major damage to your property without you even knowing it. This means these little pesky insects can bring down your whole investment. But if you pay attention, you can stop that from happening. 

These termites leave their imprints. You just need to identify them. 

How’s that possible?

Will you be following each insect to find what and where it’s going wrong?

Absolutely no. 

That’s where home termite inspections help you. These inspections are important to reveal the tracks, entry points, colonies, and breeding grounds of termites residing in your place. The inspectors will highlight signs of a termite infestation. These signs include discarded wings, sagging or buckling floors, cracked or bubbling paint, and more. We’ll get into the details sooner.

Knowing these signs, you’ll get insights into what to look for to prevent such attacks in the future. 

The inspection for termites will also help you prevent structural damage and protect your property’s value. We’ll discuss more of its benefits in a later section. AJF Engineering is here to guide you on everything termite inspections. 

So let’s get started with a question that pops up in everyone’s mind for literally everything – WHY?

Why Should You Consider an Inspection for Termites

Getting a termite inspection for your home is as important as buying it. According to the research of a privately held company, termites are to be blamed for more than $5 billion in property damage. We can only imagine how crazy that is.

To save your property counting on this number, you can rely on a professional inspection for termites. Answering all your whys, let’s see the benefits home termite inspections bring.

Early Detection 

Termites can go unnoticed for years. But they are slowly eating away at your wooden structures, framing, and whatnot. The trained termite inspectors know what early signs of infestation to look for. They identify complete termite infestation at your place. So you can address the issue before the structural damage occurs. 

Prevent Structural Damage

If you treat termites just as normal things running in your home – you can compromise your home’s integrity. They can affect the structural stability of your walls, floor joists, supporting beams, and other framings. The home termite inspections will save you from getting dragged into such a dicey situation. The inspectors, by catching termite attacks, protect you from expensive structural repairs.

Cost Savings 

Treating a minor infestation can cost you hundreds of dollars. Extensive repairs for termite damage can soar into the thousands. Instead of breaking the bank, why not spend some bucks on a home termite inspection? Regular inspections will save you from getting into such a situation beforehand.

Environmental Impact 

Some termite treatment methods use strong chemicals. While others use somewhat lighter options. It is the inspectors who target areas and their respective methods just per requirements. The inspectors may suggest strong pest control chemicals in considerably damaged areas with heavy infestation. While in the flip case with mild infestation and damage, they’ll advise lighter controlling chemicals. 

Timely Maintenance 

Termites never stop looking for food. The best way is to keep annual or bi-annual home termite inspections as part of your regular home maintenance plan. This way, you can be ahead of time to ensure your home’s safety before the issues arise. 

Now you know why to consider home termite inspections in the first place. But how would you know it’s high time to get one?

So here are the

Signs That You Need a Home Termite Inspection

Termites like to munch on your home inside and out. And they still go unnoticed, uncatchable. They can feast on wooden furniture, walls, floors, and other structures. While their attack and damage are conducted secretly, they leave their prints behind. Any professional inspection for termites reveals these signs of termite infestation and damage.

So, let’s see these common indicators one by one.

Visible Termite Tubes  

Mud tubes are the most obvious red flags indicating a termite infestation. Termites build these tubes during their travel between their underground colonies and wood structures. These tubes appear on foundation walls, support beams, or crawl spaces, signaling termite activity.

Wood Damage 

Damaged wooden structures are the biggest sign your home is under termite infestation. This may include cracks in wooden support posts and warped hardwood floors. Termites also cause moisture damage by eating through the subflooring. You can stop them by an early home termite inspection.

Discarded Wings 

The inspectors look for any discarded wings at your place. If they find shed wings around window sills and door frames, this shows a soaring termite attack. It also indicates any nearby mature termite colonies to mate and spread.

Sagging or Buckling Floors 

Have you noticed dipping or slope in your floors? That’s a red flag that termites are feeding on supports under the surface. Before they cause a collapse, home termite inspections reveal them and their hidden damage.

Hollow-Sounding Wood 

Just take a moment to tap on your wood structures and decking with a hammer. If you notice a hollow, dull thud, it means termites have infested the interior of the wood. 

Termite Droppings 

There could be obvious termite droppings, dry and cone-shaped, around baseboards and building joints of your home. This shows the instant need for an inspection for termites.

 

Cracked or Bubbling Paint  

Damaged paint can happen for various reasons. But paint swelling from moisture or blistering confirms a termite infestation – opening the need for a home termite inspection.

 

How Long Does a Termite Inspection Take

 

The time it takes for a thorough home termite inspection can vary depending on several factors. But on average, it can range from 30 minutes for a limited spot check up to a few hours for a whole inspection for termites. 

 

Let us give you a quick overview of the factors that can draw out a termite inspection process.

 

Property Size  

Larger homes require more time to inspect them for termites thoroughly.

 

Accessibility  

If your home’s areas are easy to access, it will consume less time. But if it’s hard-to-reach areas like attics or crawl spaces, then it can cause a delay.

 

Type of Construction  

Homes on slab foundations are faster to inspect than those with basements or attics.

 

Previous Infestations 

If your home has previous records of termite infestation, it can extend the inspection time.

 

Type of Inspection 

The inspections for spot-checking are quicker than full, detailed inspections.

 

So What To Do

 

Knowing all about home termite inspection must have you wondering what to do now. What steps should you take next to protect your home?

 

You can inspect your home yourself every now and then for any obvious signs of termites – as mentioned earlier. Then, you can contact a certified professional inspector to schedule a thorough inspection for termites. 

Scroll through the blog section to learn more about inspections.