TERMITE INSPECTION EWING NJ
Posted by Admin
Termite inspections form a vital part of all real estate transactions in New Jersey. Without them, buyers and sellers could not have a full understanding of the condition of the structure in question.
Unfortunately, too many property owners only schedule termite inspections when they are buying or selling a home or business. This is a problem becomes termites can attack at any time.
Experts call termites a cryptic species. Accordingly, they spend practically their entire lives underground. When they are not in the colony's underground nest, they are feeding in a rotting log or a building. If a building is providing the food source, the termites are probably congregating in a dark, well-concealed space like the basement or crawlspace.
Without regular termite inspections, the colony can keep eating the wooden and other cellulose-containing materials in the building without interruption. Significant damage to the structure can make it unsound.
Property owners typically have insurance against things like floods, fires and storm damage. However, termite damage generally is not covered by insurance policies. This means that the property owner is responsible for footing the entire bill for any repairs that are necessary.
Each year, termite infestations cause damage that outstrips the havoc wrought by natural disasters. While the damage caused by hail and high winds are immediately obvious, termite damage frequently takes place in out-of-the-way parts of buildings that don't get a lot of attention from people. Consequently, termite damage can become catastrophic before the property owner even knows that there is a problem.
Termites live in colonies that may have tens of thousands of members. Each termite fulfills a specific role within the colony. Many of these termites are workers. They leave the nest to forage for food every day of the year. Termites eat cellulose, a material that is found in all wood, paper and plants, all of which can be found in and around buildings. This is why structures are so attractive to termites.
When a termite colony has a steady source of wood or other cellulose, then the rate of reproduction rises. Frequently, the termite colony will split, establishing satellite nests. The additional nests also may feed from the structure, exacerbating the issue.
Should you be worried about termites in your Ewing area home or place of business? It isn't necessary to worry if you hire a licensed pest management company to conduct regular inspections of your property and any structures that sit on it.
While this does represent an ongoing expense, the cost of an inspection is trivial when compared with the price of repairing extensive termite damage. This also is why it is never a good idea for property owners to conduct termite inspections by themselves. It is extraordinarily difficult for the average person to identify the early warning signs of a termite problem. Trained termite technicians are capable of locating even the subtlest indications that termites are present and causing damage.
Termite inspections can be time-consuming, particularly if it has been years since the last inspection. Moreover, the size and scope of the property will largely dictate how much time is needed to do a thorough job. The technician will need to access all portions of the building, both in the interior and on the exterior. This is the only way to be certain that the property is truly safe from termites.
CONDUCTING A TERMITE INSPECTION
It's critical for the property owner to prepare the structure before the inspector arrives. That may mean removing obstacles that are blocking doors and openings to storage rooms, crawlspaces, basements and attics. The technician will need to access every component of the building in order to determine whether or not termites are causing damage.
One of the first things that the inspector will look for is mud tubes on the foundation or exterior walls of the building. Because they cannot survive exposure to the elements, termites construct these mud tubes to help them travel from the nest to their food source. Mud tubes also may be found in crawl spaces and basements, so expect the technician to closely examine these.
Termites are so sensitive to sunlight and the open air that they also will block up holes and cracks in the building's exterior with mud. Mud may even be found in construction joints. The technician will look for these mud deposits throughout the course of the inspection.
Technicians not only look for the signs of an ongoing termite infestation but also seek out conditions on the property that may be making it more vulnerable to a future infestation. Some of these signs may include a pile of wood or lumber that is placed too close to the building, a rotting deck or a decaying wooden fence. Additionally, the technician may identify holes, cracks or gaps in the building's exterior that could allow termites and other pests to come indoors.
As the technician conducts the inspection, you may notice that he frequently taps on wood with the handle of a screwdriver or other tool. This is a technique that is used to determine whether or not termites have been hollowing out the piece of wood. If the tap results in a flat sound, then it may be evidence that termites have been active in that area.
Once the termite inspection is complete, the technician creates a report that is shared with the property owner. The report details any current pest problems that were found on the property and specifically identifies the species that were discovered. Along with the report, the technician proposes a plan for treating any pest problems.
If termites were uncovered inside the building, then the technician will present a plan for eradicating the colony and performing cleanup and repairs associated with the infestation. Upon approval by the property owner, the first treatment appointment can be immediately scheduled.
The potential benefits to requesting routine termite inspections are many. It is much easier to sleep at night when you know that your home or commercial building is not infested with wood-destroying insects. Peace of mind is priceless, and that peace of mind can be achieved thanks to termite inspections.
Moreover, scheduling termite inspections to occur at least once every two or three years ensures that the property owner is immediately made aware of any conditions on the property that may have changed. These changes could make the structure more vulnerable to infestation by termites or other pests, so having an early warning is a reliable way to head off these problems before they happen.
With routine termite inspections comes the certainty that the structure is safe to occupy. Termites damage the structure's integrity, which may make it hazardous to use. Additionally, many people experience respiratory illnesses that are associated with termite infestations. When a structure is safeguarded against infestation, people just stay healthier.
You can even save yourself considerable money when you schedule regular termite inspections. No one wants to be presented with a bill for thousands of dollars in repairs that were necessitated by a termite infestation. When regular termite inspections are carried out, you have no cause to be worried about the structure requiring repairs.
You'll even enjoy greater confidence if you ever decide to sell your Ewing area property. With the knowledge that your building doesn't have any termite issues, there's little cause for concern over inspections.
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST TERMITE INSPECTION?
With property ownership comes all sorts of responsibility. Keeping your buildings termite-free is just one of these, but it is an incredibly important consideration.
Experts in the industry recommend termite inspections being performed at a minimum of every two or three years. It is possible to schedule more frequent inspections if your building has suffered termite damage in the past.
Call today to schedule your FREE termite inspection.
