Termite Inspections
Termites Can Do Serious Damage
WDO, or Wood Destroying Organisms, can cause serious, unseen damage over a period of years. You may not ever be aware that this could be a problem in your home.
Termites Aren't The Only Problem
You’re probably familiar with the problems that termites can cause, but did you know that there are many more insects that can destroy the framing of a house? Termites are well-known, but carpenter ants, wood boring (powder post) beetles, carpenter bees, and other insects can also cause damage.
This photo shows carpenter ant damage that was uncovered during a renovation. This was previously a 4″ x 4″ support post, and is now very expensive paper. This is an example of the unseen damage these insects can do to the wooden structure of a house
We are trained and certified to see the visible signs of wood destroying insects, and can do your termite inspection to look for this type of damage.
Wood Destroying Organisms Can Do A Lot of Damage
Termite/WDO inspections are required for VA or FHA mortgages as well as other loans from many financial institutions, and there’s very good reason for that. Termite damage each year is estimated at around $5 billion in the U.S. Repairs after a termite infestation average around $3,000, but can be much higher depending on the damage and what part of the home was infested.
This home was damaged by water entering the structure from the adjacent roof, which attracted a severe infestation of carpenter ants in the exterior sheathing. Destruction like this can’t usually be detected unless the siding and house wrap is removed, but it shows you just how badly these types of insects can damage your home.
Termite Inspections for VA and Other Loans
A trained and certified inspector is needed because wood destroying organisms are difficult to detect. We are certified to perform termite inspections and WDO inspections, and are authorized to complete the NPMA-33 form required for loans such as VA, FHA, or USDA loans.
A termite inspection is a visual inspection of the accessible components of the home including the exterior, crawlspace or basement, attic, etc. We’ll look for evidence of past or present infestation such as wood damage, living or dead termites or beetles, mud tubes, and other signs. We also look for moist conditions that may lead to infestation such as soil contact with wood, excessively moist components of the house standing water, and more.
Our Service Area
We serve Allentown, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Pottsville, Reading, York, and their surrounding areas in Central Pennsylvania. Contact us with questions or service outside these areas.
Additional fees apply to properties over an hour away, over 100 years old, or over 2,000 square feet.
