Florida is a beautiful state, hot temperatures, blue skies, and sunshine pretty much all year round. There is, however, a real menace attacking homes up and down the state of Florida and that menace is termites.
Testing for termites is not always included in a routine home inspection, but rather a specialist service only available on request from major home inspection companies.
How safe is your home?
Is your home vulnerable and at risk from termites? How do you know if it is termite-free?
Foundation
A few things you need to consider, the first, and most important factor is the foundation of your home. You need to be sure that the foundation of your home is sound, meaning that it is free from cracks, splits, decay, and/or any crumbling.
It has been found by researchers, up to 90% of termite infestation cases have been the result of wood with direct contact to the soil surrounding the structure. A sound foundation should never include a base that has wood directly touching the soil!
As termites crawl around on the ground, you don’t want the wood of your home being the first thing they come in contact with, especially if they are hungry and there is a few thousand of them!
Moisture
Your home can also be at risk if it has moisture issues and problems, as the termites are known to be drawn to the dark damp areas of your home. Being that the foundation is the one thing meant to support and keep your home level and upright, make certain it has not been compromised by these persistent pests.
Age of the property
It’s a sad fact, but the age of the home can also determine the level of risk. Older homes at higher risks of infestation than new houses, due to lower quality building standards at the time it was built.
The key is to be wary, vigilant, and contact a professional inspection company that offers termite specialty inspections. Remember termites caught at the right time can be treated and eradicated, but nothing beats early detection and prevention to keep them out.
