This is a very common question, sometimes delivered with a lot of emotion. We get asked, Why did you call that old termite stain? Why did you call the dry water stain on the ceiling? Why this, Why that. The answer is always the same. We are supposed to call these things.
A lot of people believe a termite report is just about active termites. Wrong! Let me explain. First of all it is not a termite report. Yes, that is exactly what I said. The actual report is a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report (W.D.I.I.R.). Beside being called a termite report, I have heard it referred to as a wood report, clear report, clearance letter, termite certification, etc. Termites are one of the most important aspects of the report, so that probably is where the name termite report comes from.
The W.D.I.I.R. essentially has 3 major parts:
1.) Evidence of Wood Destroying Insect.
2.) Conducive Conditions.
3.) Inaccessible areas.
Evidence of Wood Destroying Insects is pretty cut and dry. You either have evidence of Wood Destroying Insects (8A) or no evidence (8B).
Conducive Conditions are reported items that could lead to possible Wood Destroying Insect Infestation. Examples are earth to wood contact, faulty grades, etc. This is usually the category we get the most calls on. Here are some of the most common questions:
Question: Why did you call the the plant/shrubs/trees/vines touching the house?
Answer: Because it is earth to wood contact.
Question: Why did you call the fence? It doesn't have termites.
Answer: It is an earth to wood contact.
Question: Why did you call the basement?
Answer: The basement floor is below the grade level on the outside of the house, thus it is a Faulty Grade.
Question: You called a water strain on the ceiling? What does that have to do with the termite report?
Answer: A water stain comes under the category of Excessive Moisture (number 18 on page 2 of the report). It is on the report, thus we have to call it.
The last section of the report is Inaccessible areas. This is a list of all the areas we couldn't see. Everything from not being able to see through walls to the Pit bull guarding the interior of the house. If we can't inspect it, it should be here.
The Bottom Line
The W.D.I.I.R. is a 3 page report. The format of the report is written by our regulators, the Office of Pest Management (OPM). Doing the inspection is a lot like a pregnancy test. (stick with me on this one). A pregnancy test tells you if you are pregnant or not pregnant, that is it.
When we do an inspection, either that call is there, or it is not. For example, if I inspect a house with a basement, it is a Faulty Grade. Very straight forward. It is not saying that the basement is bad, or good, just that the basement is there.
