Do you own a home in the Columbia, South Carolina area?
If so, you likely have a list of maintenance tasks ranging from cleaning to making repairs to getting your roof checked out on a regular basis. What you might not have on your list, though, is a regular termite inspection.
Here’s more information on what termites can do to your home, how to spot signs of termites, and why early detection via a termite inspection Columbia SC is vital.
Damage Done by Termites
As most people know, termites eat wood and wood is one of the main components of your home’s foundation. If you have a termite infestation, you may experience buckling, sagging floors, windows or doors that stick, a scent such as mold or mildew, and visible mazes. This damage, if not addressed, can weaken the structure of your home and eventually lead to a home that is unsafe to live in.
Signs of Termite Activity
Though it’s easy to detect termites when you see them swarming, other signs are not as obvious. Here are some signs of termite infestation you might miss:
- Discarded wings. Termites tend to leave their wings near entry points to your home such as windows and doors.
- Wood-colored droppings. Termite droppings are called frass and they can resemble coffee grounds or sawdust. You will likely see these in piles.
- Hollow-sounding wood. Tap on wood to see if it reveals a hollow sound.
- Wood that is sunken, buckling, or dented.
- A mildew or mold smell you can’t identify the source of.
- Loosening tiles, small holes in your drywall, peeling paint, or squeaky floorboards.
Many of the signs of termites can also be signs of other pests or the damage may be caused by other factors. That’s why it’s important to get a termite inspection Columbia SC to identify if termites are the cause of your problem so they can be properly taken care of.
Why to Get an Inspection
There are a variety of reasons why termite inspection SC is vital. An inspection will help you identify termite activity early so you can take steps to get rid of them before they do significant damage to your home. You will also pay less to get rid of termites early on in their infestation than you will later when they multiply. Taking care of termites will keep your home and family safe, your environment healthy, and protect your property value. Most experts suggest getting a termite inspection done on a yearly basis in high-risk areas and every two to three years for areas with moderate risk and every five years for parts of the country with a low risk of infestation. Columbia, SC is considered a high-risk area for termites.
Termite Inspection Columbia SC: Early Detection is Key
If you want to protect your home and family, put termite inspection Columbia SC on your home maintenance list. With a yearly inspection, you can easily identify if your home has a termite problem so you eliminate them before they cause damage to your home.
