What does a deep basement mean for the termite inspection?
A deep basement gives the inspector a long run of foundation wall and a large sill to read. Where the basement is finished, the walls behind the finish are checked only with the homeowner’s agreement, and the report records any section that was not reached.
The inspector looks for mud tubes on the foundation face and wood damage at the sill, and takes moisture readings at the lowest points of the wall, where water and soil are most likely to meet.
How are the large brick homes sealed?
Brick homes built between 1910 and 1940 have window frames set in deep masonry openings, and the joints at the lintel and sill are the usual entries. The sealing list records each joint, and the material is chosen for masonry rather than wood.
The Colonial Revival and Tudor styles have deep soffits and eaves. The soffit joints and vents are the places where the stink bugs and boxelder bugs gather, and they are sealed before the autumn.
What do the original cast-iron stacks mean for the visit?
Original cast-iron drain stacks run through the house and out through the roof or the wall. Where a stack passes through the basement floor or the wall, the gap around it is checked for an entry, and the sealing is done with a material suited to the pipe.
The technician does not comment on the plumbing itself. The visit records each penetration and whether it is sealed, and the homeowner decides on any plumbing work with a plumber.
What should a Bexley homeowner expect on the upper floors?
The two storeys of a large Bexley home give the attic and the upper rooms a lot of space to check. The visit starts at the roof line and works down, looking at the eaves, the gables and the vents, then the rooms beneath.
A homeowner who has a finished attic should say so, because the access and the insulation affect the walk and what can be seen.
How do the tree-lined streets affect the outside work?
Bexley’s streets are lined with large trees, and their roots and fallen limbs can rest against a house or a fence. The walk notes any wood or debris in contact with the wall, and the report recommends clearing it.
The Alum Creek Trail follows the eastern boundary, and houses near it are checked for the grade and the drainage at the back of the lot.
The large Bexley houses often have a second staircase to the basement from the rear, and that stair is checked as a route from the outside. The walk notes the threshold, the door seal and any gap at the foot of the stair, since those are points where insects and moisture can enter.
