This report is prepared by a state certified inspector as evidence of the existence or absence of wood destroying organisms or pests that were visible and accessible on the date the inspection was made. In almost every instance when they receive a request for an inspection the caller refers to it as a "termite inspection". It seems almost everyone believes that the inspections are limited to inspecting for signs of termite activity. This conception is only partially correct. In addition to looking for subterranean termites, the inspector is looking for signs of activity from other wood destroying organisms such as:

• Dry wood termites
  
• Carpenter ants
  
• Carpenter bees
  
• Wood destroying fungus
  

In preparing your house for this inspection you, as the homeowner, can do certain things that will save money and ensure a clean report at the time of the initial inspection. You can check your house for conditions conducive to infestation. These conditions are easy to spot and in most instances are simple to correct.

Walk around the exterior of your house and check for these conditions.

1. Wood to Earth Contact

a. If you have a wood fence around your yard - does any portion of the wood fence or wood gate come in contact with the house and the soil abutting the house?

If this condition exists you can correct it by either:

• Digging the soil away from the wood that is in contact with the house

• Cutting the wood so that you have relieved the contact with the soil

• Placing a piece of sheet metal between the structure and the wood in contact with the soil

• Trenching around the base of the board to relieve all contact with the soil and filling the trench with concrete

b. Concrete form boards of trellises in the soil and in contact with the house?

• Correct this condition by removing the trellises and the form boards.

c. Patio posts in the soil?

• Correct this condition by trenching the soil around the base of each post to relieve all soil contact and fill the trench with concrete.

d. Wood patio built directly onto the soil?

• Correct this condition by making certain that no part of the patio construction is in direct contact with the house.

e. Railroad ties or other wood used to form a planter is touching the house?

• Correct this condition by cutting the wood to relieve contact with the house or place a piece of sheet metal between the wood and the house.

2. Excessive Cellulose Debris

a. Overgrown dried grass or dried landscape cuttings along the stem wall can attract termites.
You can correct this condition by cutting all of the dried grass away from the stem wall of the house and raking the landscape cutting away from the stem wall.

3. Faulty Grades

a. While inspecting the exterior of your house, make certain that all drainage off the roof is able to flow away from the structure. Check all soil elevation around the structure making sure that water can flow away from the stem wall. If you find conditions that allow water to accumulate and stand along the stem wall you must correct it.

• You can correct this condition by grading the soil to allow the water to flow away from the house or filling in soil to a grade that allows for the flow of water away from the stem wall, if you must fill in soil, be sure that you do not raise the soil level above the stem wall.

4. Excessive Moisture

a. While inspecting your house (interior and exterior) check for water leaks from:

• Showers

• Through your roof

• Outside faucets

• Correct these conditions by stopping the leaks that provide the termites with a moisture source.

b. Leaking drainage outlets from your cooling systems often leak directly on to the soil abutting the house keeping the soil constantly wet.

• You can correct this condition by extending the draining outlet by adding plastic piping allowing it to drain away from the house.

Most of these conditions are easy to spot and inexpensive to correct. Be a smart seller and address these conditions before your house is in escrow. If you aren't certain about the condition of your property, seek the assistance of a State Certified termite inspector to assist you.