How to Prepare Your Home for a Termite Inspection: Essential Tips and Tricks
Termites are a nuisance in the home and require immediate attention right after being detected or noticed. These silent intruders not only decrease the property’s value but can also cause different health issues. Therefore, regular termite inspections are recommended to ensure your home’s well-being.
But how do you prepare for a termite inspection? This is one of the most common questions raised in almost every homeowner’s mind. And if you’re thinking that hiring a certified home inspection company is all that you need, then, nah, you’re mistaken. For better termite inspection, you need to clean your home so that the inspector can easily access every nook of the home. In short, you need to prepare your home in every way so that the termite inspector can easily examine the walls and highlight the termite signs.
In this blog, we will discuss the tips and tricks to prepare your home for a termite inspection. Yes, it will be time-consuming, but if you manage your time smartly, you’ll be done before the inspector arrives.
So, without further ado, let’s start.
What Is a Termite Inspection?
Termites are sneaky. They hide in wall cracks and can cause different health issues. Identifying the presence of termites by using advanced technologies is called a termite inspection. During this assessment, the certified inspector thoroughly checks the home, such as the following:
- Walls and foundation cracks
- Basement and crawl spaces
- Gaps between the windows, doors, and walls
Tips to Prepare Your Home for Termite Inspection
To get better results from a termite inspection, you must provide a clean and safe path so the inspector can easily access every corner of your home. Here are some tips you should follow before getting the termite inspection.
Clean Your Home
Yes, your home might be clean, but you need to give it special attention for termite inspections. For this, you shall clean your garage properly (if your house has one) and remove all the debris so that the inspector has a clear path to inspect your home. Once everything is accessible, it becomes easier for the professionals to determine how much of your home is affected by termites.
Remove Extra Items
You need to make sure that your home is clutter-free. For this, you may remove extra items and clean the path so the inspector can access every home nook.
Keep Furniture Away from the Walls
While preparing for the termite inspection, the furniture must be kept away from the walls. Make sure the space between the furniture and the wall is enough for a person to stand and thoroughly examine the space.
At times, the inspector might also examine your furniture, as termites usually live and chew the wooden furniture internally. They make colonies inside the wooden items, and grow there.
Additionally, you need to know that furniture is the best place where termites live and chew the wooden items internally. It makes colonies inside the wooden items and makes a growth here.
Highlight the Focus Area
Highlight the area where you see the termite signs physically so that the inspector can pay close attention there. The signs of termites are mud tubes and swarmer wings near the windows and doors. These signs show that your home is affected by the termite.
Keep the Pets Away
Sometimes, your pets can attack unknown persons. Therefore, it is suitable when the termite inspector comes for a visit. You need to keep them away from inspectors.
Easy Access to the Exterior of the Home
Clean the path to visit the exterior of the home, as termites usually hide here. Keep the exterior easily accessible so that inspectors can inspect the foundation, along with other components. They will examine it for cracks and other issues.
Some Of Your Frequently Asked Questions
Now you know the basics of how to prepare for a termite inspection in Texas. It’s time to answer a few questions that you might have about the inspection itself. Like is it really necessary, and is it legally required?
Let’s answer each of these in order.
Is Termite Inspection Worth it in Texas?
In Texas, the summer is long and provides an ideal environment for termites. Therefore, you must get a termite inspection once a year. Formosan subterranean is one of the most common termites in Texas. They live in a wooden structure and chew these wooden items internally. Therefore, getting a termite inspection regularly gives you insights into your home’s current condition. You must get a termite inspection if you want to buy a new home. The certified inspector helps to find the termite signs so that you can get a healthy environment for yourself and your family.
Is Termite Dead in Winter?
In Texas, termites are alive throughout the year and can damage a home’s infrastructure. During winter, they go underground to protect themselves from the cold. Therefore, people who think termites do not affect your home’s structure during the winter are truly mistaken.
Is a Termite Inspection Report Required in Texas?
Termite inspection reports are not legally required in Texas, but they play a key role in benefiting you big time. Insurance companies sometimes need to learn about your home’s condition when applying for the discount. Additionally, home loan companies require this report too for a mortgage; it depends upon the condition of your home, and the report gives an idea about the life span of the home.
Conclusion
Termites have been a force of destruction for eons. Although we’ve developed effective termite removal methods, we still see billions of dollars in property damage caused by termites each year.
The most effective cure is precaution, and for termites, that precaution is a termite inspection. A professionally done inspection can tell you where these buggers hide and what next steps to take for complete removal.
Inspect360 has some of the most experienced termite inspectors in town. If you’ve had termite problems in your home, check our termite inspection services and see for yourself how we can help you.