When purchasing a home in Dallas Fort Worth, there are two words that can bring a potential transaction to an absolute halt – termite infestation.
Termite infestations often go undetected for years and can lead to catastrophic damage to a home’s structural integrity. Wood-destroying insects feast on wooden structures and threaten to substantially depreciate the value of your home. Some VA loans even require termite inspections to secure financing. In general, it’s always a good idea to get a termite inspection prior to purchasing a home in the DFW metroplex.
Termite Inspections Dallas Fort Worth – Thomas Engineering
Termite Inspections Dallas Fort Worth
A home inspector must be licensed with the Texas Structural Pest Control Board to perform termite inspections. Since signs of infestation can be subtle, it’s especially important to hire a thorough inspector to lower the risk of purchasing a home with termites.
During the termite inspection, your home inspector will carefully observe the interior and exterior of the home (within legal boundaries). He/she should also inspect surrounding structures, such as sheds, detached garages, etc., for signs of termite infestation and other wood-destroying organisms.
Cost of a Termite Inspection – Dallas Fort Worth
Thomas Engineering provides termite inspections as an add-on to the standard home inspection for a fee of $100. Click here to schedule a home inspection.
Signs of Termite Infestation
If your termite inspector sees signs of termite or wood-destroying organisms, he/she is required by law to include the findings in the home inspection report. Termites are typically seen along the bottom of exterior doors, frames, and wood siding. They may also be found in crawl spaces, but window seals, near woodpiles, and in damp areas with rotting vegetation. Basically, anywhere where the soil is in contact with wood is a potential breeding ground.
Termite Inspection Dallas TX
Termite inspectors look for visible termites on the interior and exterior window seals. Your termite inspector will also observe areas around porches, patios, sidewalks, kitchens, bathrooms, and hard-to-reach places for visible termites and wood damage. He/she will be on the lookout for shelter tubes protruding from the soil.
A good termite inspector pays attention to windows and door frames and will peak behind shrubbery and plants to inspect exterior walls. Areas, where wood is in contact with the soil, should be inspected. For example, fencing, decking, staircases, was and trellises. Exterior electrical boxes should be opened to inspect for infestation.
Inside the home, a termite inspector will carefully inspect doors, window frames, baseboards, and hardwood floors for potential infestation. Discolored or stained sheetrock may be an indication of a water leak. Decay from moisture intrusion can aid termite infestation. Areas, where plumbing and utility pipes enter the foundation, should be inspected for water leakage and wood damage.
How to Prevent a Termite Infestation
During a termite inspection, your home inspector may also suggest actions that should be taken care to avoid future termite infestations.
Dallas Home Inspector – Termite Inspections
- Create at least a 2-inch clearance between your home’s foundation and landscaping
- Use pressure-treated wood for exterior features and seal the wood periodically to prevent moisture intrusion
- Remove all wood-to-soil contact when possible
- Maintain your home’s foundation
- Clear decaying plants and leaves away from your home’s foundation
- Place woodpiles far away from your home
Termite Inspection Near Me
Thomas Engineering offers Dallas Fort Worth home inspections performed by a Licensed Professional Home Inspector. As an additional service, we are also Licensed with the Texas Structural Pest Control Board to perform termite inspections in Texas. Call 817-576-1973 or fill click below to fill schedule a home inspection.
Click here to schedule a termite inspection.