This started as a sewer camera job at a home in Tempe, Arizona. It quickly turned into one of the worst termite infestations I’ve ever documented. From rotted baseboards to active termite tubes inside the walls and attic, almost every part of the structure was affected.
How the termites got in
Outside, overgrown trees and vines were touching the house, basically building highways for termites. There was also serious moisture getting in around the foundation, roof and attic. Moisture plus wood plus an easy path is exactly what subterranean termites need.
Inside the walls
- Rotted baseboards and moisture-damaged stucco.
- Termite tunnels and trim bored out from the inside.
- Live termites, and even termites and ants fighting it out on camera.
In the attic
- Termite-damaged trusses and rotted roof sheathing.
- Sweating wood, poor ventilation and a real mold risk.
- An HVAC condensate line rotting and draining in the wrong place.
- Sistered trusses that were added without proper approvals.
The sewer scan
The water was shut off, but I still ran the camera. The pipes had moderate debris, so I recommended hydro-jetting there as well.
Why the attic matters
Many termite inspectors never go into the attic. On this house, that’s where the worst damage was. This home will need major remediation and a structural evaluation before it’s safe to live in, and a quick look around the foundation would have missed most of it. When I do a termite inspection, the attic is part of it.
Want to check your own home? Here’s how to spot termites in your Arizona home.
Watch the full investigation
See all of it in the video above, or watch it on YouTube. Book your inspection online or call 623-399-0079.
Property Inspections Plus is a Gilbert, AZ home inspection company led by Certified Master Inspector Dan Pierce. We inspect homes across the East Valley, the Phoenix metro and the rest of Arizona. See all of our service areas.
