What Is a Termite Inspection Form?
A termite inspection form proves that a licensed termite control inspector examined your property for visible signs of termite damage. The termite inspector will check the interior and exterior of your property and look for signs of termite infestation. They will check door frames, windows, walls, cabinets, and crawl spaces. The visible signs of termite activity include damaged wood, droppings, and mud tubes.
There are many reasons why you might need a termite inspection form. One of them is if your lender or insurance provider requires it. If so, you will need a termite inspection checklist to make sure your property passes the termite inspection.
In this article, the following points are explained:
1. The importance of a termite inspection
2. What termite inspectors look for
3. The benefits of using a digital checklist for inspections
Why Is Termite Inspection Important?
Are you still on the fence about getting a professional termite inspection? If you’re still unsure, consider the following logical reasons for hiring a professional to perform termite inspection on your property:
Your Lender May Require It
If you are purchasing a property through a mortgage lender, you will likely need a termite inspection form. The form will clearly state that a professional termite inspector checked the property for signs of termite activity or damage and that they found none.
Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Affairs loans and other Government-backed loans often require you to submit a termite inspection form. Your lender may ask for evidence of termite inspections, especially if you live in a region where the local government requires it. This is especially true if the results of your home appraisal or inspection say the property has signs of pest infestation or damage.
Termites May Be Active Even if You Don’t See Them
It’s scary, but it’s true. Termites can be damaging your property for up to five years before you can see visible damage. What makes termites difficult to fight is the fact that you often can’t see them while they are causing internal damage. They are difficult to detect unless you see alates or winged reproductives that set out to start a new mound.
Termite damage often begins in areas made of dry wood. Some types of termites such as subterranean and Formosan will travel through the soil and start damaging the areas of your property where there’s moisture. After some time, termite damage will be so severe and widespread that it will compromise the structure’s integrity. When this happens, a complete demolition will be the only choice left.
Homeowner Insurance Usually Doesn’t Cover It
Damage from termites is often not covered by homeowner insurance. Most insurance providers also will not pay for termite removal. They will only cover termite damage if there is an additional coverage plan.
If your homeowner insurance does not cover termite damage, it would be best for you to have your property inspected regularly. This will stop termite infestations early and before they create irreparable damage to your property.
The longer termite infestation occurs, the more damage they will have on the wood portions of your home. And, of course, the greater the damage, the costlier the repair process can be.
Termite Damage Is Expensive
U.S. residents spend about $5 billion annually on termite control and damage repair. A homeowner who finds termite damage in their home will shell out around $3,000 for repairs.
Termite management and treatment prices vary, but they can cost you up to $20 per linear foot for even a minor infestation. If the structure of your property has been termite-infested, expect to spend thousands on termite treatment on top of the cost to repair damages.
What Does a Termite Inspection Consist Of?
Termites prefer closed and dark spaces. They tend to avoid open air and bright spaces. So, you will likely find termite colonies underground or inside wood materials. More often than not, termite damage is seen underground and hidden away from plain sight.
Because of this, it’s vital to have a termite inspection checklist that covers all common areas where termites will likely linger. But also, don’t forget to check hidden areas. A pest control inspection checklist will require the professional inspector to check for termite damage in hidden places. A termite inspection report sample would include the inspector’s findings and recommendations about the following areas:
- Basement
- Crawl spaces
- Attic
- Garage
- Porch
- Cabinets
- Furnishings
- Appliances
- Woodpile
- Floor covering
The inspector will record the results of the termite inspection in the inspection form. It will include a list of conducive conditions to termite attacks if any. Additionally, the termite inspector will also provide a list of risks and recommendations for termite management.
So how exactly do termite inspectors go about the process of a termite inspection? Keep in mind that only a professional should perform the termite inspection. They have the knowledge and tools necessary to make the inspection thorough and effective. Here are some of the things the inspector will watch out for:
Signs of Termite Swarming
Subterranean termites are likely damaging the structure if the inspector sees swarms in the interior of your house. Swarms inside your property are strong evidence that subterranean termites plague the structure. The swarms are often near doors, windows, and other lighted areas. But even if there are no swarms, it does not automatically mean your property is free from termite infestation. Drywood termites don’t swarm.
Mud Tubes
Mud tubes, or little tunnels made of soil, are a clear sign of termite infestation. They are often seen near the house’s foundation, attic, pipes, chimneys, and crawl spaces. Mud tubes are made of soil and small pieces of wood. They are most commonly the work of subterranean termites.
Signs of Damage to Wood Beams
Some termite damage can be so minor or superficial that they require simple or no repairs at all. But if the damage is done to load-bearing structures, such as wood beams and rafters, then this is a serious issue. Even if your wood beams look fine, termites may have caused damage on the inside. This means the beams could be incapable of supporting the weight they are supposed to bear.
High Moisture Content in the Walls
Excessive moisture inside the home, particularly in walls, often causes structural damage, discomfort, and health complications. Spaces with a high level of moisture and humidity are the perfect breeding ground for termites. Even the most expensive homes can be damaged by termites if water seepage, poor ventilation, and basement leaks are not addressed right away.
Potential Access Points
Small gaps in outer walls are potential entry points for termites. They are visible signs that a termite infestation is present within your home. Other entry points are insufficient space between soil and bearers and the absence of termite barriers in decks.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Digital Termite Inspection Checklist?
Termite infestations can sneak up on you, mainly because they naturally burrow deep underground or in dark, isolated places. For that reason, you might not know you have an infestation until there’s already severe or irreparable damage. What’s worse is homeowners insurance often doesn’t cover the staggering costs of termite fumigation and repairs unless you had the foresight to buy additional coverage.
Professional pest services recommend that you conduct a termite inspection at least once a year if you live in a high-risk area. That includes the midwest, south, and most of the upper United States. Lumiform’s super intuitive and easy-to-use app can help you conduct your inspections up to 40% faster than ever before. That’s because it does away with tedious pen and paper in favor of a streamlined interface.
Additional benefits include:
- Improved safety – Because Lumiform allows for fast and easy communication between team members, you can immediately alert each other to building safety concerns, like damaged wood beams.
- A wide selection of templates – There’s no shortage of safety and inspection checklists with thousands to choose from from our very own template library. Still can’t find anything? That’s okay, go ahead and create your own.
- Make sure tasks are done on time – You can automatically assign termite inspections to responsible colleagues and be notified if there are any past due assignments. What’s more is Lumiform tells you exactly who is responsible for any skipped inspections or tasks, so you can follow up.
- Fast and easy communication – the mobile app facilitates internal communication between employees and managers as well as third parties. Because of this, problems are solved as soon as they arise.
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