Hidden Attics I was recently conducting a termite inspection in Carlsbad. Before I begin any inspection, I ask the homeowner a few questions: What are you seeing? How long have you lived here? Was the home tented before you moved in? Have you experienced any termite swarms? And how do you feel about fumigation? If […]
What Lies Beneath? Last week we inspected attics. Inspecting Crawl Spaces I can’t imagine that anyone actually enjoys inspecting—or spending time in—a crawl space. Sure, there are crawl spaces that feel more like basements, where you can stand up and walk around, but those are few and far between. Most crawl spaces in California have
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Inspecting an Attic for Termites Last week, we inspected the outside of the house. This week, attics. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I like inspecting attics. Sure, they’re dark, dirty, and full of hazards—but they’re never the same, and they’re a crucial part of a complete termite inspection. I compare inspecting an attic
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Inspecting a Home’s Exterior for Termites I typically begin a termite inspection on the exterior of the home. The exception is when it’s raining and I don’t want to track mud inside—in that case, I’ll start in the attic. Most of the time, though, the inspection begins with diagramming the house. Creating a diagram is
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Fences and Termites Fences are not considered part of a structure and are often excluded from termite inspections. Most termite reports include a note or disclosure stating this limitation. In escrow inspections, only gates that are physically attached to the home are included; perimeter fencing is not. While fences are frequently ignored, they can be
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The Choice Is Yours Every time I show up for a termite inspection, I ask the homeowner how they feel about fumigation. I ask because it matters. If someone is completely against tenting, I need to be extra diligent about finding every area of termite activity and figuring out how to address less accessible spots
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The Cost of a Free Termite Inspection I don’t know a single company that charges for a standard termite inspection. The only inspections I charge for are escrow inspections—industry norm—but everything else is free. Still, very few homeowners want their home inspected, even when it costs nothing. Who wants to find out they have termites,
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Ants and Termites I was at a home in Carlsbad recently, and the customer was worried he might have experienced a termite swarm. Luckily, he had snapped a photo of one of the insects. The moment I saw the pinched waist, I knew it wasn’t a termite at all—it was an ant. Most people don’t
Termites Love It When Homeowners Choose DIY I inspected a home in Oceanside the other day. When I arrived, the homeowner proudly showed me all the products he’d used over the past twenty-plus years—Terminate from everyone’s favorite home improvement store, a few organic options, and some other odds and ends. I’m not sure why DIYers
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Are You Claustrophobic? Before I became a termite inspector, I thought I was claustrophobic. If I let myself imagine being buried alive, I’d get the willies. But when I first learned about the job during an interview, it never crossed my mind that claustrophobia might be a problem. I didn’t land that job, but I
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