Home inspectors have houses too. After about seven years in ours, we decided to pull up the wood flooring in one of the bedrooms. We knew the house had been treated for termites before we bought it. We’ve been renewing the termite warranty with a national company ever since. What we didn’t know was exactly where the damage had been, until we lifted the floor.
What we found
Under the boards, there were several areas where termites had eaten into the wood flooring. Wood laid over a concrete slab gives subterranean termites a hidden path from the soil straight into the house, and you can’t see it from the top of the floor. We decided to replace the wood with carpet, which also makes the room quieter and more comfortable.
How to prevent termite damage
- Keep the house dry. Fix plumbing, roof and AC leaks quickly. Termites need moisture as much as they need wood.
- Keep wood off the foundation. Store firewood and lumber away from the house.
- Use a professional treatment when it’s needed, and keep the warranty current.
- Service your plumbing and HVAC so small leaks don’t turn into termite magnets.
- Watch for mud tubes on the foundation and garage walls. If you see them, call an exterminator to evaluate and treat.
Buying a home? Ask about past treatment
A termite warranty that transfers with the house is worth having. Ask the sellers when and where the home was treated, and keep the paperwork. A termite (WDO) inspection is included at no extra charge with every home inspection I do, along with a 1-year termite warranty through Firehouse Pest Control in Gilbert when no active termites are found. For more warning signs, read how to spot termites in your Arizona home.
Watch the video
See what was under our floor in the video above, or watch it on YouTube. Book an 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.
