There are many things people should be looking for when buying a new home. Past the room accommodations and countertop preferences, homeowners should not only be looking at the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC system condition. Another inspection, the WDO Inspection, or the Wood Destroying Organism Inspection is one that is often overlooked, but even more essential than people realize. If you recently purchased a home infested with these nasty pests, your dream investment will turn into a nightmare and these wood destroying organisms are costly. With that in mind we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to discuss the basics of a WDO inspection.
Types of Wood Destroying Organisms
Wood-destroying organisms include post beetles, old house borers, termites, carpenter insects, and wood-decaying fungi. They are either considered plant life or an arthropod and they are those that damage and have the capability for re-infestation with seasoned wood in the structures.
Subterranean Termites
The destructive termites are among the most common of the WDO. Subterranean live in colonies as social insects for example, and they consume averagely between 10 and 17 grams of wood each day per colony. As they devour upwards of a pound a month, it loosely equates to approximately $5 billion in damage a year collectively in the United States.
WDO Inspection Report Procedure
Whether you are buying or selling a house in regards to the real estate industry, investing in a WDO inspection is highly beneficial in a number of ways. Consider the following tips to better prepare for your inspection service.
1) Before you obtain a contract and save you headaches and surprises if you are selling a property, a WDO inspection can bring any potential problems to your attention. A lot of potential buyers will cancel a contract because of WDO issues that were found within 30 days of closing. At best, a seller may provide this document to any possible purchasers of your home showing it is free and clear of any visible WDO issues.
2) Be sure to attend the entire inspection without interference if at all possible and save any questions for the conclusion of the inspection.
3) Before the inspector leaves the site make sure you receive, read, and ask the questions you have concerning the inspection report.
4) Ensure that all discussed and pertinent information is included in the official report by the inspector verbally is in the official report.
5) Get a copy of the contract and exact costs in the event they have the current homeowner if they have a termite bond currently. Keep in mind that there are limitations that include types of damage and years covered vary with most companies as well as charges involved for transferring a termite bond to a new homeowner.
Termite & WDO Inspection Reports & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
A-Tex Pest Management’s WDO inspectors have the experience, certifications and training to perform a comprehensive inspection. A comprehensive search of the entire building is performed by our specialists as they search for any evidence of wood-destroying organisms. All such evidence is documented; detailing the specifics if any are present along with any other pertinent information is all included in the official report and presented to the customer inquiring for the service. Call A-Tex Pest Management today and schedule your WDO inspection.