Buy a Santa Fe Home? – Why Getting a Termite Inspection by a Licensed Pest Control Expert Before Your Closing is a Smart Move
Congratulations if you’re closing on a home purchase in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Buying a home is a thrilling experience, whether you’re doing it for the first time or are just relocating. The discovery of termite damage or damage from other wood-destroying insects like carpenter ants might dampen the excitement of a new house purchase. A professional should perform a termite inspection before you move into your new Santa Fe home prior to closing the sale to protect yourself from expensive repairs.
Explaining the Harm Termites Can Do to Your House
Because of their propensity to gnaw through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper, termites have earned the nickname “silent destroyers” and are responsible for more than $5 billion in annual property damage. It would take a solitary termite over 3,100 years to consume the wood of a 1,000-square-foot home, but termites never work alone. Depending on the species, termite colonies can have anything from a few thousand to several million members. Since multiple colonies can coexist in a single acre of land, your home is potentially vulnerable to millions of termites at any given time.
Slab foundations, places where timber is in contact with dirt, and inaccessible crawl spaces are the most at risk for termite damage. Homebuyers should consider these factors, as well as those of their lenders and real estate agents, before committing to the purchase of a property.
Pre-purchase termite inspections are highly recommended.
Termite damage repairs can cost thousands of dollars based on the amount of wood consumed, the colony’s age, and the damaged wood’s location. Unfortunately, though, necessary termite repairs often cost more than the original building. Some mortgages, including Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, may be contingent on the results of a termite inspection, which is the case in many areas. That’s why scheduling a termite check is crucial before you sign the dotted line and move in.
In contrast to a typical house inspection, which focuses on the interior, a termite inspection evaluates the exterior, interior, and foundation of a building for signs of termites. Professional termite inspections usually take up to an hour. During the examination, a termite specialist will investigate and probe the home from the attic to the basement for evidence of termite damage. Buckling wood, bloated floors and ceilings, spots that look slightly damaged by water, and visible mazes within walls or furniture are all signs of termite damage. Termite infestations can also emit an odor like mildew or mold.
Following the conclusion of the examination, the specialist will provide a termite inspection report outlining the status of any infestations and the estimated cost of eliminating them.
Treating a Termite Infestation
The pest control firm will need to come in and treat for termites after a termite inspector has provided an estimate. Fumigation or insecticide spraying is a common method for eliminating a termite infestation. After the treatment, the homeowner will need to take stock of the damage and, most likely, coordinate with a contractor to make repairs. Since this usually entails major demolition and the installation of brand-new structural supports, the associated expenditures might also be significant.
You can avoid the trouble that termites might cause by taking a few precautions, such as these, even if you haven’t seen any evidence of an infestation:
Maintaining a watertight structure and diverting rainwater away from your house
Maintaining a safe distance between your home’s base and any wood piles or mulch
Checking for termite damage and droppings, swarmer wings, and warped wood in the walls, ceilings, and floors.
Where to Look for a Qualified Termite Control Company in Santa Fe
Termite inspections should be performed by a trained professional. Termite management is not something a homeowner or a potential buyer should try to tackle on their own, so keep that in mind if you find an active infestation. In the event of termite damage, or a pending Santa Fe home purchase, contacting a Santa Fe pest control service without delay is recommended. Contact Parker Pest Services today to learn more! The company can be reached at 505-401-9380 or you can schedule and appointment by clicking here and completing the company’s online Schedule Appointment form.