By LJ at ER Pest and Termite
We are sure that most homeowners in San Bernardino County, CA know that termites can be detrimental to a house. But what many property owners in this area don’t know is that termites destroy wood silently and you may not even see the signs till there is a full-blown infestation at work. Failure to treat an infestation can mean costly repairs. Although many homeowners recognize that termites are damaging to houses, they tend to not think about getting termite inspections and control done because they just do not know what termites do. In fact, by the time the homeowner realizes there is a problem it is too late; the damage can typically grow to such an extent that repair costs skyrocket and exceed $10,000. Did you know that termites go into your roof? Yes, and roof repairs and installs alone can definitely get up there in pricing. Seeing termite activity?
You May Not See Termites, But They are There
San Bernardino County represents a perfect environment for termites. The warm weather found in Southern California enables termite colonies to remain active throughout the majority of the year. Harsh winter conditions found in colder climates hinder termite activity; thus, the warmer temperatures in Southern California enable termite colonies to continually grow and expand before an infestation is detected. This extended period of time enables larger infestations to form before property owners are aware of an infestation. Also contributing to termite infestations in San Bernardino County, CA is the diversity of housing stock found in the area. Virtually all structural wood components used in construction of houses can be consumed by termites. Untreated wood, older properties, moisture-related issues, etc., are examples of items that can create the perfect environment for an infestation to occur. Newer houses are no exception because virtually any structure made of cellulose-based materials is susceptible to termite attacks. There is no house constructed today that can protect itself from termite attacks based solely on its age.
Additionally, the rapid development of housing throughout Southern California has created additional opportunities for termite colonies to invade nearby homes. Construction activities often disturb the soil surrounding existing termite colonies, forcing those colonies to seek out new food supplies. It is very common for homes located near construction sites to become target homes for expanding termite colonies. Thus, homeowners residing in both older established neighborhoods and new subdivisions are at equal risk for termite infestations. Proactive awareness and prevention are equally beneficial regardless of a home’s age.
How Does Termite Activity Become a $10,000 Repair Bill?
Although Termites do not feed on wood as quickly as some people think, they never stop eating. Thousands or even millions of individual Termites may be feeding simultaneously within a given colony. Each individual worker feeds non-stop. Termites weaken structural members by their continuous consumption. Structural beams, floor joists, wall studs, roof trusses and other key structural members can sustain significant damage due to prolonged termite activity. The longer an infestation persists prior to discovery, the greater the extent of the necessary repairs.
Repairs involving structural damage account for a great deal of the increased cost associated with treating a termite infestation. Skilled contractors using various types of building materials replace structurally compromised framing members. To perform repairs on damaged framing members, contractors may need to remove drywall, flooring, insulation and/or exterior finish material. Initial repairs may seem like local fixes, however, as soon as contractors enter damaged areas and assess the full scope of damage, repairs can turn into full-scale restorations. Consequently, initial repair estimates can rise rapidly. In addition to structural damages, secondary damage can be added to a repair bill. As structural integrity deteriorates due to termite activity, water leaks and other issues may arise. Infested wood can attract other pests or promote mold growth. Under extreme circumstances, entire sections of a structure may require replacement. Combined costs for repairs can reach or exceed $10,000. This is why getting your home checked for termites annually is so crucial.
Why Delays in Inspection Increase Costs
Many property owners delay requesting inspections in hopes that their problem is minimal or because they want to schedule treatments at a more convenient time. Unfortunately, Termites do not stop eating while waiting for property owners to decide whether or not to request assistance. With each passing day, an existing colony grows and expands its food supply capabilities. Therefore, delaying action typically increases the ultimate cost of repairs. Some termite colonies can exist for years without being treated. As termite colonies grow in population size, so does the rate of destruction caused by those termites. An infestation that may have been easily controlled with basic treatments can become a full-blown structural concern if left untreated. The difference between timely intervention and delayed action can literally mean thousands of dollars saved.
Delaying also increases the chances of having a termite problem discovered during a real estate transaction (e.g., buyer inspection). Problems discovered by buyers’ inspectors or appraisers can either postpone closing or diminish property value enough that a lender refuses funding. Additionally, it may necessitate costly repairs before the parties involved in the transaction complete their involvement in the property. Many property owners wish they had taken action sooner when treatment and repair costs were significantly less expensive.
Preventing termite damage saves money and unfortunately for many homeowners with termite infestations, many of those same infestations could have been prevented through routine inspections. Professional inspections are capable of identifying early signs of termite activity before significant structural damage occurs. Detecting termites in their early stages typically leads to reduced treatment costs and less disruption in daily life compared to dealing with an advanced infestation. Prevention almost always proves less expensive than making large-scale repairs.
Properly controlling moisture is also vital in reducing the likelihood of attracting termites. Termites prefer environments rich in moisture. Properly repairing leaking pipes, ensuring adequate drainage systems function properly and ensuring sufficient ventilation within and about a home can greatly minimize risk. Additionally, homeowners should attempt to keep wood off the ground adjacent to foundations wherever possible. Low-cost regular maintenance can also serve as a deterrent against infestations. Performing low-cost regular maintenance about your home (e.g., removing dead trees/brush; keeping firewood away from structures) reduces attractiveness to termites and adds additional protection against costly damage from infesting termites.
Termites are expertly adept at hiding themselves from human observation. It is likely that even vigilant homeowners will fail to note early signs of termite activity since they often develop in locations difficult for humans to access. Experienced inspectors are better equipped than untrained individuals (e.g., homeowners) to detect subtle signs of termite activity that would otherwise go unseen by others. An inspectors’ knowledge base enables them to detect both current infestations and conditions conducive to future infestations (e.g., moisture concerns; weakened structural components). Identifying these types of concerns enables homeowners to take proactive steps against potential problems. Prevention and early detection are currently considered two of the best methods available for addressing termite problems. Routine inspections are particularly advantageous for homeowners living in San Bernardino County who must contend with ongoing pressure from terms due to local climatic conditions favorably supporting continued termite activity throughout much of the year. Regular annual inspections performed by professionals can help assure that problems are identified early in their development rather than developing into severe situations requiring costly interventions. Ready to get your termite inspection done by professionals?
