Need a good pest control company

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by tnp

The house is 5 years old. I don't know if the original owners did it or if it was done later. Otherwise the house appears to be in excellent condition. It was foreclosed last year and was "revitalized" by the HUD NSP II program. Supposedly they fix anything not up to codes, replace anything that's broken, etc. They put in all brand-new appliances, repaired the a/c, put in new fixtures, etc. The whole house looks brand new, but I don't know what kind of damage is behind the walls that I can't see. You'd think they would have taken care of the termite problem and the weep screed problem too, but apparently they didn't.

I will be getting an inspection done. I'm looking for a good inspector right now.

That's the important factor, what is BEHIND the walls.

There's a show on TV called "Holmes on Homes", it's where a contractor goes and fixes homes that "passed" inspection but the inspector missed tons of problems that later end up costing the homeowner tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes even above $100K+. "Eye candy" is what the person sees walking into a home (new appliances, fixtures, paint, granite tops) but what's more important is what is behind the walls, in the roof, in the attic, the electrical, the plumbing, the foundation, etc. Things only a trained professional can find, which will require opening up the drywall, which I highly recommend on doing. If the seller/bank says "no", then tell them you will walk away because the risk is too high due to the possible termite damage.

I am inclined to believe that the former homeowner had a termite & scorpion problem and hired some inexperienced service to seal the weep screed to help "stop" the termites and scorpions. Which it can't stop either.

Subterranean termites use termite tubes to enter into the home, it has nothing to do with weep screeds. Below is a picture of a termite tube. They use these tubes to access your interior walls from their underground nest.

What I highly recommend is finding out HOW MUCH DAMAGE the termites have done to the walls and how far they are into the home. They could be all the way up to your roof/attic wood trusses. If they are, I would advise NOT to buy the home, as you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.

I would also highly recommend finding out if there is any rotting or stucco damage due to them blocking the weep screed holes. In 5 years you would be surprised how much wood can be rotted due to trapped moisture. As mentioned, this will require opening up a section of wall. Ideally the area where the termite tubes are found on the exterior.

You are facing two problems; the termite damage and the water damage. Both are HUGE big dollar issues. Proceed cautiously.

[themudpuppy]

I tracked down the company that did the termite action report, and was able to speak with the person who did the inspection and treatment. His company handles all of the termite contracts for homes in this NSP II program.

He said the damage was minor surface damage, no structural damage. They were subterranean termites. The reason the report didn't say it was treated is because the NSP program had to fix the cause of the problem first, which was wood-to-ground contact. He said they fixed the wood-to-ground contact problem, fixed the damages, then treated it, and that it's still under a one-year warranty. He said the buyer has the option of continuing the yearly contract at $200 a year.

I feel much better knowing there is no longer a termite problem, and that there was no major damage. I'm still going to get a termite inspection myself, but I'm glad it's under warranty so I don't have to worry about the expense of treating the house.

[Noscut]

I hear Burns isn't bad.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by Noscut

I hear Burns isn't bad.

Thanks!