The sight of termites or mention of them by a pest control company or home inspector is not something most homeowners (or homebuyers) want to hear. Termites and their appetite for wood and wood derivatives make them a huge problem in various US states – accounting for around $750 million per year in directly attributed home and property damage around the country per year.
Here’s some advice for homeowners or someone getting ready to buy a home that comes directly from termite pest control specialists. Skill Termite gave us a bunch of tips to pass on regarding being aware of how other issues in your home, like plumbing, can bring termites into the equation.
A termite problem doesn’t usually start on its own, and having a termite colony unfortunately means you have other issues to deal with as well. Like any living thing, termites need water, so poor drainage and plumbing leaks or problems can be the real reason why termites chose your home and not your neighbor’s.
Termites devour wood. And termites love water. And there’s another problem. The presence of constant moisture around wood products causes them to begin to deteriorate and soften. When you have soft, moist wood, you have the perfect, easy place for termites to set up shop. The moisture combined with the softer wood literally invites the beginnings of a termite colony. Once they are there, a few termites can turn into a full infestation, causing substantial damage before it is found.
As a homeowner, you should be watching for moisture, especially visible leaks. Being mindful of moisture and leaks is one of the best things you can do as a homeowner to protect yourself from a lot of problems. Plumbing problems can be hard to see and detect for a homeowner, so it is best to have a plumber do a thorough inspection the next time they are there for any time of work.
The areas behind walls where plumbing systems live can be an invisible source of moisture. An experienced plumber or home inspector will know how to find signs of leaks where you can’t. A home inspector may even bring a thermal camera, so they can spot hot and cold water leaks without being able to see visible moisture.