Purchasing a New Home? Why Your Termite Inspection Matters

Why Your Termite Inspection Matters

Purchasing a New Home? Why Your Termite Inspection Matters

Buying a new home is one of the most exciting, and at times frustrating, experiences you can go through. In addition to finding the right property and going through all of the necessary paperwork and financing, you also need to have the right inspections performed on your home. One of the many inspections that you need to perform is a termite inspection.

However, this is one that some people pass on. But it is important to remember just how important a termite inspection is. It is the best way to make sure that your home doesn’t have any structural damage before you sign on the dotted line for your new property.

Here’s what every new homeowner should know about termite damage, and what termite inspections can do to prevent it.

–       Termites can do serious damage. Often called “silent destroyers” termites can cause more than $5 billion In property damage to homes every year. Termites can chew through wood, yes, but can cause even more damage to the home than wood alone. Slab foundations, crawlspaces and areas where wood touches dirt, are some of the most common areas for termite damage to start.

–       Termite inspections can spot signs for damage. A professional termite inspection can save you thousands of dollars in repairs before you purchase. A professional termite inspector will look through the entire home and look for signs like swollen floors and buckling wood along with smells of mildew or mold. These are all signs of an infestation.

–       Termite inspections should be thorough. A termite inspection should be separate from your entire home inspection, as most home inspectors don’t have the professional pest training to spot signs of termite damage. A complete termite inspection will typically last for an hour and include a detailed summary of termite inspection, if any.

–       Termite inspections are only the beginning. After an initial termite inspection, there are still things that you can be doing to make sure termites don’t impact your home in the future. Your termite professional can help walk you through what you need to do to keep termites at bay. Tips include keeping your home dry and well ventilated and storing wood properly away from your home. You should also be on the lookout for mud tubes around the home which can be a sign of termites.

If you have more questions about termites, termite damage or if you need to schedule a termite inspection for your home, contact the experts here at Proctor Pest Control. We are the area experts on all things pest control and can help make sure that you new home is safe, pest-free and ready for its new owners.