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Wood Destroying

            Organism Report





            This report is prepared by a state certified inspector as   Wood patio built directly onto the soil:
            evidence of the existence or absence of wood destroying   Correct this condition by making certain that no part of the patio
            organisms or pests which were visible and accessible on   construction is in direct contact with the house.
            the date the inspection was made. In almost every instance
            when our office receives a request for an inspection the   Railroad ties or other wood used to form a plant-
            caller refers to it as a “termite inspection.” This indicates that   er is touching the house:
            almost everyone believes that the inspections are limited   Correct this condition by making certain that no part of the patio
            to inspecting for signs of termite activity. This conception is   construction is in direct contact with the house.
            only partially correct.
                                                               2. Excessive Cellulose Debris
            In addition to looking for subterranean termites, the inspec-  Overgrown dried grass or dried landscape cuttings along the
            tor is looking for signs of activity from other wood destroy-  stem wall can attract termites. You can correct this condition
            ing organisms such as:                             by cutting all of the dried grass away from the stem wall of the
                                                               house and raking the landscape cuttings away from the stem
            • Dry wood termites                                wall.
            • Carpenter ants
            • Carpenter bees                                   3. Faulty Grades
            • Wood destroying fungus                           While inspecting the exterior of your house make certain that
                                                               all drainage off the roof is able to flow away from the structure.
            In preparing your house for this inspection the homeowner   Check all soil elevation around the structure to be sure that water
            can do certain things that will save money and ensure a   can flow away from the stem wall. If you find conditions that
            clean report at the time of the initial inspection. Check your   allow water to accumulate and stand along the stem wall you
            house for conditions conducive to infesta-tion as these con-  must correct it.
            ditions are easy to spot and in most instances are simple to
            correct. Walk around the exterior of your house and check   You can correct this condition by grading the soil to allow the
            for these conditions:                              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
            1. Wood to Earth Contact                           must fill in soil be sure that you do not raise the soil level above
            If you have a wood fence around your yard, does any por-  the stem wall.
            tion of the wood fence or wood gate come in contact with
            the house and the soil abutting the house? If this condition   4. Excessive Moisture
            exists you can correct it by either:               While inspecting your house (interior and exterior) check for
                                                               water leaks from:
            • Digging the soil away from the wood that
               is in contact with the house                    • Showers
            • Cutting the wood so that you have relieved       • Through your roof
               the contact with the soil                       • Outside faucets
            • Placing a piece of sheet metal between
               the structure and the wood in contact with      Leaking drainage outlets from your cooling systems often leak
               the soil                                        directly on to the soil abutting the house keeping the soil con-
            • Trenching around the base of the board           stantly wet.
               to relieve all contact with the soil and fill
               ing the trench with concrete                    You can correct this condition by extending the draining outlet
                                                               by adding plastic piping allowing it to drain away from the
            Concrete form boards on trellises in the soil and in contact   house.
            with the house: Correct this condition by removing the trel-
            lises and the form boards.                         Correct these conditions by stopping the leaks that provide the
                                                               termites with a moisture source. Most of these conditions are
            Patio posts in the soil:                           easy to spot and inexpensive to correct. Be a smart seller and
            Correct this condition by trenching the soil around the base   address these conditions before your house is in escrow. If you
            of each post to relieve all soil contact and fill the trench with   aren’t certain about the condition of your property seek the
            concrete.                                          assistance of a State Certified Pest Inspector to assist you.

       www.driggtitle.com                                                                                          22
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