How To Inspect A House For Termites
Specific signs of a drywood termite infestation to look for include.
How to inspect a house for termites. Use a handheld light to thoroughly examine the foundation for any holes that could be used as an access point. If you tap the damaged wood with the end of a. Since termites often gain entrance to a property by burrowing their way in from outside it is prudent to begin a termite inspection by examining the external walls. Check around chimneys and plumbing pipes for termite mud tubes.
Inspecting for termites can be a dirty job. Termite damage may be located by probing wood with a screwdriver ice pick or knife. However in warmer areas of the country they occasionally occur above the first floor level. They aren t infallible though.
You may want to purchase and wear a pair of disposable coveralls and a pair of gloves. Damaged wood wood with sustained drywood termite damage might look crushed at the structural joints. A bright flashlight will come in handy to light up dim or dark areas and a flat headed screwdriver will allow you to probe wood to find weakness that is indicative of termite infestations. When inspecting for a drywood termite infestation be on the lookout for small holes in wood damaged wood and live termites.
A complete termite inspection would mean locating exposed shelter tubes and damaged wood. Probe and sound tap with the butt of your screwdriver any wood that looks suspicious. Generally speaking subterranean termites are found at or near ground level. On the next few pages let s take a look at five key things a termite inspector will look for to determine whether or not you have a termite problem.
Shine your light around and look at all wood members for mud tubes. Enlisting the help of an expert who knows how to check for the earliest signs of termites is essential to keeping an infestation at bay. Grab your work shoes. Do a home termite inspection the appearance of winged or swarming termites is often the first indication of a termite problem.
You may want to wear a bump hat to protect your head and a dust mask and gloves. Termites are sneaky working in secret areas of your home you seldom inspect very closely.