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 Additional Types of Home Inspections 

 Termite Inspection 

As mentioned earlier, a termite inspection is another important part of the home inspection process. It is also a required inspection by the mortgage lender. Termite inspection is a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of a home for evidence of wood-destroying insects (WDI) and wood-destroying organisms (WDO). Termites can live in any climate, even in cold weather. Therefore it is important to have this inspection done no matter where you live in the country. Termites are generally creamy white in appearance and are translucent, looking very much in size, shape and color like a grain of rice. The most common treatment of a termite infestation is using termiticide. The pest control agent will treat this by placing termiticide in the soil on both sides of all foundation elements to provide a barrier preventing termites from entering the structure. Technicians trench the sill and inject termiticide beneath it at 16-inch intervals. They also drill into hollow masonry block foundations and inject termiticide into the block voids. This creates a protective barrier around the property. In-ground baiting systems are also becoming a popular method for treatment of sub-terranean termites.

The inspector will visually inspect the entire interior of a home (including accessing and entering any sub-space such as basements and crawlspaces) and exterior of the property. In areas where drywood termites are prevalent, and in houses where there are no sub-areas, the attic may also be accessed and inspected. After the inspection has been performed, the findings are reported on the applicable/appropriate form. The average termite or pest inspection takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes for a thorough inspection, depending on the size and conditions (e.g. clutter; storage of personal items, etc.) of the home and property. One of the main characteristics of termites and termite colonies is their tendency to avoid open air and bright lights, meaning they will stay underground or within wood products.

It is almost impossible for an inspector to visually identify or locate an active termite infestation just by looking at the finished surface of a wall or the accompanying trim. So, as with the general home inspection, make sure your termite inspector is going beneath the surface of the home. As far as preventative measure for termites, the current standard method is to have a pest control contractor visit the home and spray a liquid termiticide over the entire foundation area prior to the concrete being poured. The building sciences are continuously coming up with new methods of infestation prevention. A homeowner could also make post-construction adjustments to the home that are less conducive to an infestation of wood-destroying insects. Common conditions that are conducive to an infestation are: earth to wood contact at support posts; cellulose debris and form boards left in the crawlspace; improper drainage away from the structure; and inadequate ventilation in the crawlspace. Correction of these conditions will greatly reduce the likelihood of an infestation.