There’s a whole lot of little things that go into buying a home. The last thing a new homebuyer wants, after all that work, is to discover there’s one more little thing to worry about: termites.
Homeowners all over the Southeast trust Terminix for termite control. But you don’t need to wait until the title has changed hands to start thinking about preventing termite damage—protecting your property from termites should be part of the homebuying process from day one. In the market for a new home? Don’t take any chances with termite damage. Make sure you’re prepared for pests and steering clear of surprises with these tips from Terminix.
When buying a home, it’s always a good idea to request an assessment from a professional pest inspector. Depending on where you’re purchasing, this may be known as a Wood-Destroying Insect Report (WDIR), a Wood Infestation Inspection Report (WIIR), a Clear Letter (CL-100) or something similar.
Whatever it’s called in your part of the country, an official termite inspector will be able to help make sure the home you are buying isn’t hiding any nasty surprises. After a thorough inspection, they’ll sign off on the document, giving your new potential property a clean bill of health and the all-clear to sell. In fact, many mortgage lenders require this information as part of the purchase arrangement. Termite damage causes multiple billions of dollars in repairs every year in the United States alone.
Buying a Home with Termite Damage
If you’re buying a home with existing termite damage, there’s some things you’ll want to know. First and foremost, keep in mind that damage that is discovered during the inspection process is ultimately a good thing. Knowing about an existing issue before the sale goes through allows buyers to negotiate a solution into the sale.
Furthermore, it’s also important to keep in mind that most termite damage is fixable, and despite their fearsome reputation, most termite infestations these days are caught and treated quickly enough to avoid large-scale destruction or collapse.
In some circumstances, it is possible to transfer an existing termite protection policy from the sellars to the buyers. It doesn’t hurt to double check with the sellers to see if they have a termite bond in place already.
Already a Terminix customer? Bringing your termite and pest control with you when you move is also a great option—and the processes couldn’t be easier with the help of the Smoother Mover program from Terminix.
What Does Termite Damage Look Like?
Termite damage might not be obvious at a glance. They tend to work beneath the surface of things, out of sight, and countless infestations occur every year without ever showing any outward warning signs. The holes and tunnels that are typical of termite damage are often only apparent long after the damage has been done.
Here are a few things to look out for when you’re checking for potential signs of termite damage:
- spongy floors
- buckling wood
- swollen ceilings and floors
- Peeling paint or discolored drywall
To the untrained eye, termite-caused wood damage and wood rot might seem indistinguishable. Oftentimes people mistake one for the other without the help of a professional. Fortunately, the local technicians at Terminix have the training, experience and expertise needed to answer all of your termite damage questions, including termite damage vs. wood rot, best-practice treatment options and more.
To learn even more about the destructive power of termites, check out our library of pest and termite control resources here.
Termite Control and Termite Treatment
Now that you know how to look for termite damage, let’s talk about termite remediation and prevention.
While we can’t do anything about existing damage in a property—that’s for the buyers and the sellers to work out, and typically is agreed upon before closing and the final sale—Terminix can absolutely help keep your investment safe from future termite visits.
Terminix uses Sentricon bait systems, which have been shown to be effective against both eastern subterranean termites and the invasive Formosan termites that have been popping up in our service areas in the past several years.
In addition to proactive treatment methods, Terminix can also provide what is known as a termite bond—a sort of insurance policy between homeowners and pest control companies that covers costs associated with termite activity.
Typically, you’ll see these as either “retreat” or “repair” types. As the name might suggest, the policies offer different solutions and responses to new termite activity while your home is covered.
It’s important to note here: only the repair-type termite bonds offer the full level of protection and repair work you’ll need if your home is ever affected by termite damage. It’s also the only type of termite bond Terminix offers for qualified homes. Homes that qualify for the termite bond are protected against even the worst case scenarios, so our customers can sleep easy.
Worried the damage in your home might be termites? Call Terminix today and request your FREE termite inspection.
For All Things Termite Damage, Trust Terminix
No matter what sort of termite situation you find yourself in, Terminix is here to help. Whether you need an inspection as part of the home buying process, want to take a proactive approach with protection services or even need to call in the services of a termite exterminator, the professional, local experts at your neighborhood Terminix office are standing by.
We’ve been helping homeowners in the South protect against and treat termites for over 75 years now. And on top of that, our services are backed up by the industry’s strongest guarantee: if the pests come back, then so do we.
Call your local office today to get in touch with a Terminix technician and request your free termite inspection.