10 Most Common Problems found during a Termite Inspection

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Living in San Diego has many advantages, like having the ability to travel from the ocean to the desert, to the mountains and back home in one single day. Unfortunately, because the California weather is so good, not only do we like it but also the termites and other wood destroying organisms. For this reason, is it recommended that a yearly termite inspection is done on your structure by a licensed professional like our expert technicians here at GC Termite Control.

When a property is inspected, we are on the lookout not only for termites but for all wood destroying organisms or pests that may invade your property and damage your structure. This includes rot, carpenter ants, wood boring beetles, water damage, leaks, and many more. Here are some of the most common problems that we see in our inspections, this way you can as well be in the lookout for any of them. Remember than resolving problems when they are small can save you a big amount of money and the long run, and you can do periodic inspections that can discover situations before they get out of control.

1. Deck or patio cover rot problems
   • This is normally made of wood members, which because they are exposed are more susceptible to getting damaged and weathered due to all of the extreme conditions that it will be in contact with.
2. Damage at the bottom of door jambs
   • As door jambs are normally in contact with the ground level, moisture tends to get under it and absorbed. With time this will rot and damage the jamb, a great precaution to extend the life of the door jamb is to keep it sealed and properly painted at all times.
3. Termite damage on exposed exterior eaves
   • Exposed eaves on the exterior of your property are the first areas of contact to a great number of termite infestations. This combined with regular weathering makes them the perfect meal.
4. Earth-to-wood contacts in railing and porch posts
   • A very important thing to remember is to never have any wood members in direct contact with the soil unless they are specifically treated or made for this purpose. This is because the wood will get infested and damaged more easily as moisture and other elements will constantly be attacking it.
5. Exterior stucco damage
   • Not only in San Diego but in many areas of Southern California stucco cracks and damage are very common. This is due to earthquakes, settling, shrinking and warping of wood members which makes the structure shift and, in the process, creating most times minimum damage to the stucco. It is a good idea to seal areas like this as they create a direct opening for termites and other pests to get into your structure.
6. Stucco moisture stains due to missing gutters or improperly directed sprinklers
   • This problem can be noticed over time and when there are rainstorms. When water pours down the roof and hits the ground, it bounces back into the stucco creating an excessive moisture condition. No major damage occurs in the short term, but if left unattended for many years then it could cause the stucco to fail and to the structure to rot or have other moisture problems.
7. Water damage on cabinets under kitchen or bathroom sinks
   • Small leaks are the most common cause of this and can be easily fixed by a licensed professional.
8. Loose toilets in bathrooms
   • A deteriorating wax seal, or lose bolts are the most common causes of this and can be fixed very easily by a licensed plumber.
9. Termite infestations in attic spaces
   • Being than the attic area has a vast number of exposed wood members that are not normally disturbed, termites can thrive in this area for years before the homeowner finds out about them. It is a good idea to inspect your attic once a year for termite problems, leaks or any other maintenance issues that may arise.
10. Subterranean termite in crawl space
    • Although not as common in all structures in San Diego County. Subterranean termites are still found in many of our communities, and as crawl spaces or sub-areas are very moist and filled with timber and other cellulose debris it is the perfect environment for them.

Always be on the lookout for these 10 most common problems found in a termite inspection. You can be proactive and perform periodic inspections at least every year or so. If you find any problems or need help completing the inspection do not hesitate to give us a call to (619) 421 – 2101 or send us a message via our Contact Form.