Spotting and Fixing Visible Signs of Termite Damage

Not only is termite damage unsightly, especially if left to go for extended periods of time, but termites can cause irreparable damage to the structure of any home if not treated thoroughly and timely. In fact, whenever you get ready to list your home on the MLS when you are looking to sell it, there will generally be a termite inspection when the property is being appraised. It doesn’t matter whether you are trying to sell your home, however, because those pesky little bugs need to be stopped in their tracks before they can cause any damage or ruin the beauty of any visible wooden frames and beams.

How to Do a Self-Inspection for Termites

You can do a quick assessment yourself if you are concerned that you may have a problem. Did you know that termites cause more than $5 million in damage each year? This is from figures released by the>National Pest Management Association. There are two different types of termites you should become familiar with, subterranean and drywood termites, each with its own special patterns of damage that you can learn to identify. The Web is loaded with photos you can explore to see the exact patterns you need to recognize. Once you’ve found the culprit, it’s time to learn how to deal with the problem.

Extermination of Termites

Before you can even think about repairing any damage, it is important to treat your home to eliminate future problems. The one thing you probably already know is that the eradication of termites is something you probably don’t have the knowledge, experience and equipment to do. Ants and roaches can be dealt with by using OTC products you can get at almost any hardware store. Termites, on the other hand, cannot be tackled that easily. A professional termite control company will know if your home needs to be tented or if you have the subterranean type that require holes to be drilled and filled with the proper chemicals.

Repairing Damage Caused by Termites

Quite often a homeowner can do a DIY project to replace any wood that has been ‘chewed’ by those pesky little bugs. Door frames, window sills and other visible wood can be easily replaced by most people who are handy with a few basic tools, but structural damage in beams and joists is best left to professionals. Many times the wood that has been significantly damaged is in near proximity to pipes and wiring and also many times that wood is load bearing. The best formula for success is to let professionals fix structural termite damage even if you are repairing visible damage from termites.

You may not be ready to sell your home just yet so there is no need to worry about an appraiser coming in to inspect your home. However, if you intend to live in a home that is visibly attractive and structurally sound, it is in your best interest to deal with termites the moment an infestation is noted. Dealing with them early rather than later can save you tens of thousands of dollars and a whole load of headaches. Why make repairs when you can kill them before they do any real damage? Talk to your exterminator today to see what you should do to guard against loss from those nasty little pests.