When buying a new home, buyers often think about the neighborhood, the distance to work and amenities, and the house’s structural integrity. Regarding the structure, buyers order home inspections to ensure the home is sound. But did you know that general home inspections don’t cover all that could be wrong with a house? For example, general inspections don’t cover pests like termites, rodents, and roaches. In this post, Step By Step Inspections reveals why homebuyers need a pest inspection, too.
A home is a significant investment, and no one wants to discover that pests are lurking about after the purchase. Termites are a particular concern for prospective homeowners.
Termites thrive on moisture and wood, so you're at risk if your home has any wood that touches the ground. Termites live in moist wood in the home and in mulch and woodpiles near the house.
During a pest inspection, the inspector will look for signs of termites, such as:
Termites cause billions of dollars in damage to homes yearly, so it's essential to identify whether they present an issue when buying a new home.
People often don't realize how many issues rodents present to homeowners. In reality, rodents present several risks. First, they can damage your home. Mice and rats like to gnaw on wood, insulation, and wiring. This can cause serious issues, such as house fires. Second, rodents are carriers of diseases. Hantavirus, for example, is a disease spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. This disease can cause significant health issues. Finally, rodents reproduce rapidly. This means that if you have a few rodents in your home, it won't be long before you have an infestation. Therefore, getting a pest inspection that includes rodents is essential when buying a home.
No one wants a roach infestation. Why? First, roaches carry disease. They can contaminate food and surfaces with E. coli, salmonella, and other bacteria. Second, cockroaches are difficult to eliminate. Even if you think you've killed them all, there could be eggs left behind that will hatch and restart the infestation. For this reason, getting a pest inspection in addition to a general home inspection is crucial.
In addition to termites, rodents, and roaches, other pests present a risk and nuisance to homeowners. These include, but aren't limited to, the following:
All of these pests can cause health risks, property damage, or simply be a nuisance. However, a pest inspection will help ensure your new home is free from these pests. In addition to a pest inspection, you may consider other specialty inspections, such as radon testing or a pool & spa inspection. Whatever your inspection needs in Charleston, South Carolina, Step By Step Inspections can help. Call (843) 870-8726 for more information.
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