Do Termites Cause Structural Damage?

Termites are a common pest that can cause damage to your home. These insects eat wood, and when they get inside your home, they can chew through walls, floor studs, and other structures.

Several types of termites can infest homes, and their destruction can have serious consequences. If you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll want to have a professional inspect it for signs of termite infestation.

During the inspection, the inspector may find superficial damage, but he or she should also make sure to look for any deeper issues. For example, the inspector might see wood that sounds hollow or looks hollow, or there might be visible tunnels in the wood.

Termites will chew through the wood in order to obtain cellulose. This can weaken the wood and cause it to buckle, making it difficult to open doors and windows. The wood also may warp, which can cause it to become unsteady.

Termite damage to structural timbers can be expensive to repair. This is especially true for weight-bearing wooden structures. Termites will not stop eating through the wood until they are killed.

Termite colonies can be found in many places, including under floors, near the foundation of a home, or in the soil. They have large populations, and they can be hard to detect.

During a termite inspection, the inspector will check your walls for signs of termite damage. For instance, if there are cracks in plasterboard or a visible groove in the wall, this may be a sign that termites have eaten through the wood.