Buying a Home? Remember, Termite Inspection Matters

professional termite inspection - Buying a Home Remember, Termite Inspection Matters - a single termite shown in full

You must get a termite inspection on your new house by a professional inspector before moving in to a new house. This will protect you from any unexpected expenses for damages they cause.

Buying a home is an exciting experience, regardless of whether it is your first home or you are simply relocating. However, the experience of coming into a new house and finding that it has structural damage from termites or other wood-destroying insects like carpenter ants is, on the other hand, can be traumatic.

Termites Can Wreak Havoc to a House

professional termite inspection - Buying a Home Remember, Termite Inspection Matters - a colony of termites eating wood

Termites are what people call "silent destroyers" because of their ability to gnaw through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper. They can cause more than $5 billion in property damage in North America each year.

Although it would take a solitary termite approximately 3,100 years to consume all of the wood in-home, measuring 1,000 square feet, termites never exist in isolation. A termite colony's population can range from a few thousand to several million members, depending on the species. 

It is also possible for multiple territories to coexist on a single acre of land, which means that millions of termites may be able to enter your home at any given time.

The parts of a house most prone to damage by termites are:

  • The slab foundations.
  • The places where wood comes into contact with the earth.
  • The inaccessible crawl spaces. 

When shopping for a property to purchase, prospective homeowners should keep these points in mind. Their real estate agent can help them to decide whether or not the home fits them financially and logistically.

Get Termite Inspection Before Buying a House

Repairing the damage caused by termites can run into thousands of dollars. The cost will depend on three factors:

  1. The amount of termite damage in your home or property.
  2. The length of time that the colony has been present on the property.
  3. The location of the damaged wood within the structure. 

Necessary termite repairs can cost more than the building when it was first constructed. Because of this, it is indispensable to have a termite inspection performed before you finish the contract, move into the property, or close on the deal. 

An inspection for termites is typically necessary to finalize a real estate transaction in many parts of the world. Furthermore, the required repairs may cause certain types of mortgage loans, such as Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), to be subject to conditions.

professional termite inspection - Buying a Home Remember, Termite Inspection Matters - a man in coveralls inspecting a crawl space for signs of termites

A regular house inspection is not the same as a termite examination. During a termite inspection, the inspector evaluates the state of the home's physical structure, beginning with the roof and working their way down to the foundation. 

When carried out by a trained professional, termite inspections usually last for an hour in the neighbourhood. A professional will check for evidence of termite damage throughout the termite inspection.

Buckling wood, bloated floors and ceilings, areas that look to have moderate water damage, and visible mazes within walls or furniture can all be symptoms of termite damage.

Infestations of termites can also result in a smell that is comparable to that of mildew or mould.

The specialist will then produce a termite inspection report once the examination is complete. The information will explain any infestations and include an estimate of the cost to exterminate the termites.

Getting Treatment for a Termite Infestation

The pest control firm will need to come in and execute a termite treatment once a termite inspector has provided an estimated cost to eradicate termites. Eradicating the termite colony requires fumigation or the use of an insecticide spray. 

After the treatment the homeowner will need to do a damage assessment and will most likely need to hire a pest control company to help remedy the problems. 

These expenditures can also build up because it frequently includes considerable destruction and the replacement of structural supports.

If you don't currently have a termite infestation or wish to minimize the nuisance that termites can cause, there are a few things you can do to prevent termites. These include the following tips.

  • Maintain a dry home and directing water away from it are essential steps.
  • Maintain a distance between the foundation of your home and woodpiles and mulch.
  • Search for indications of termites and termite damage, such as discarded droppings and swarmer wings, as well as warping patterns in the structure's floors, walls, and ceilings.

Need a Professional Termite Inspector? Look no further than Pest Control St Catharines!

A professional, accredited pest inspector who is an expert in the pest management industry must manage your termite inspection. If you suspect that termites or other types of pests are living in your home, contact Pest Control St Catharines.

We will send someone out to do a free estimate. If you find evidence of an active infestation, remember that termite control is not something that any homeowner or prospective home buyer can handle on their own. 

When you detect damage, contact Pest Control St Catharines as soon as possible is in your best interest. 

Get in touch with us right away to find out more!

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