This home in El Mirage, in the West Valley, was built in 2000. Before I even went inside, I could hear water running through the main shutoff. When I closed the valve, the sound stopped. That means water was flowing somewhere in the house, and termites were already on the outside walls.
Termite tubes all around the house
There were termite tubes along both sides of the house, on the back wall and around the front door, including one right under the door. Many had been painted over. I did not see live termites that day. The listing agent said the home had been treated the week before and that the warranty would transfer to the buyer. If you are the buyer in a situation like this, get that warranty in writing.
Inside, on a ceiling at the far end of the house, there were rows of tiny dots and holes. Those are termite trails. Termites build tubes down from the attic, poke through the drywall, find nothing and seal the hole back up, leaving little dirt spots. Nearby was an old water stain and bubbled trim, which is likely what drew them in.
Finding the leaks with a thermal camera
Using my thermal camera, I found the area behind one toilet was wet, along with a dripping shower and a leaking angle stop. That water goes right into the ground next to the same wall where the termites were. Fix your water leaks and you control your termites. It really is that simple.
Garage and water heater safety
- No garage curb. The drywall and trim run all the way to the floor, so termites can climb the wall unseen, and water or gas has nowhere to go.
- No bollard to protect the water heater from a car.
- No sediment trap on the gas line.
- No combustion air vents for the gas water heater in a sealed garage.
- Missing weather stripping on the door between the garage and the house.
No carbon monoxide detectors
The home had gas for the water heater and stove, but only smoke detectors. Two bedrooms sit right off the laundry and garage door. CO detectors are a must-fix in a home with gas appliances.
Other items
- A microwave vent that had never vented outside, because the flap was never removed when it was installed.
- Bathroom fans that did not work, with musty air and high humidity.
- Mouse droppings and an open hole behind the kitchen sink from a plumbing repair.
- CPVC spliced into a copper plumbing system.
- A 1994 refrigerator in a 2000 house, still running.
Termite inspections in Gilbert and across Arizona
Property Inspections Plus is based in Gilbert, and we inspect throughout the West Valley, including El Mirage, Glendale and Peoria. Every home inspection includes a termite (WDO) inspection at no extra charge, done by Dan Pierce, a Certified Master Inspector and licensed Arizona termite inspector. If no active termites are found, your inspection also comes with a 1-year termite warranty backed by our partners at Firehouse Pest Control in Gilbert.
Want to learn the warning signs yourself? Start with how to spot termites in your Arizona home, or browse more termite posts.
Buying a home? Book your inspection online or call 623-399-0079.
