This modular home in Sun City had termites in several places, and every one of them traced back to moisture. Here is what I found and why the conditions around this house made it perfect for termites.
Failing galvanized plumbing
The kitchen sink ran for a couple of minutes, turned brown and then quit. The home still had galvanized supply pipe, and years of corrosion inside the pipe were breaking loose. Some PEX had been added, but the main feeder under the house was rusted and pitted.
A wet crawl space
- A disconnected HVAC duct blowing air into the crawl space.
- Water-damaged subfloor under one corner of the living room.
- Dirt washed and built up against the home by runoff, with animal tunnels through it.
- A termite tube running up from that dirt toward the subfloor.
A patio cover eaten by termites
The wood posts of the patio cover went all the way into the ground. That is exactly what we warn about: termites tunnel up inside the wood and you never see them until the damage shows up top. This patio cover was swaying, and the horizontal beams and the posts both had extensive termite damage. It needs treatment and a repair estimate, and the whole cover will likely need to be replaced.
Up on the roof
With no attic access, I could only check the roof from on top. The sheathing was warped and soft in places, with a bump near the ridge and more give near the HVAC unit. There was no condensate line off the roof, so water was dripping onto the roof and leaving rust stains running down. If you see rust streaks running down a roof from an AC unit, that is a good sign water is leaking up there.
The lesson
Termites follow moisture. Leaking pipes, wet crawl spaces, soil piled against the house and wood touching the ground all invite them in. Fix the water problems first, then treat.
Termite inspections in Gilbert and across Arizona
Property Inspections Plus is based in Gilbert, and we inspect homes across the West Valley, including Sun City, Sun City West 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.
