Prepare Your Home for a Building and Pest Inspection – A Checklist
Prepare Your Home for a Building and Pest Inspection – A Checklist
Prior to selling a place, you need to have a thorough building inspection. In order to see if there’s anything that could become a problem later in the construction. When you notice that there are pests in your home or at least suspect this is the case; the only logical course of action is to schedule an inspection. This is not only vital for the resale value of the place; but also for the structural integrity of the building and health of all the inhabitants. Still, this is not where your job as a homeowner or an investor ends. There are some things that you need to do prior to the inspection itself. Here is a brief checklist in order to ensure that you don’t lose anything from the mind. Prepare your home for a building and pest inspection – a checklist.
Clear roof and gutters
The first thing you need to do is clear the roof from both the inside and the outside. You see, one of the first things pest inspectors are interested in is the structure of your roof. The attic itself is often humid, closed-off space which acts as a perfect environment for pests to multiply for months and years. Also, water damage can be particularly harsh towards timber, which tends to rot if there’s a roof problem. Once you’re done with these basic inspections; you need to check silicone sealants to roof flashings and see if there are any cracks in roof tiles. If the answer to this last question is affirmative, you need to seal it as soon as possible.
Adjusting the sliders and check the surfaces
The next thing you need to consider is adjusting the sliders such as doors and windows. The way in which they fit your home affects the overall energy efficiency; as well as the security of the place. While you’re at it, it might be worth your while to check internal walls, ceilings and floors. Two things that are the most important to check are A) cracks and B) signs of moisture damage. Keep in mind that this is also a partial plumbing inspection; a water leak can be spotted this way quite effortlessly.
Tend to exposed timber
Previously, we’ve talked about the fact that timber can rot when exposed to moisture, which is why this is the first thing you need to check. After you check whether all is in order, you need to treat or paint all exposed timbers. This list varies on the structure of your home; most commonly, we’re talking about open decks, floor joists and open pergolas. Bear in mind that moisture attracts termites. It might be worth your while to try and see if there are any traces of them in the area.
Pest inspection preparation
In the previous section, we’ve mentioned the importance of finding experts to do your home’s inspection. Now, professional pest control in Cairns would look for these pests on several different points of interest. First, they would look for them in places like the kitchen; (especially in smoke detectors), basements, cellars and bathroom (especially in shower and pipes). Sadly, not even structural elements like stairs and woodwork are spared of their presence. Finally, it takes utmost care to check electrical appliances for pest presence. This is a task that’s usually best left to professionals.
Termite treatment system
In the introduction, we’ve talked about various types of pests. It’s clear by now that termites are: A) the most common and B) one of the biggest threats. This is why a lot of people decide to install a termite treatment system. The problem with this method, however, lies in the fact that once set up, this system doesn’t work indefinitely. One of the things that you should definitely do during this inspection is; check whether it’s due for renewal anytime soon. On the other hand, this too is something that professional inspectors might do in your stead. It’s usually a better idea to give them an opportunity to do so.
The home’s surroundings
The last thing you need to check is the home’s surroundings that need to be as far away from home as possible. Keep in mind that the roots of the tree can sometimes be as strong and deep that they can undermine the very foundation of the building. Also, the surrounding of the place usually has a pavement made from bricks or concrete pavers. Well, with enough damage in this pavement, water holes may start appearing. These weep holes, when covered, can act as a perfect breeding ground for termites and insects of all kinds.
In conclusion
The most important thing to mention here is; that all of these steps of inspection usually don’t take more than a day (a couple of days at best). There’s no excuse for failing to follow through with them. As for the reward that follows, the safety, security and integrity of your home are more than a reward enough.
