a guide to the inspection of existing homesregion3mtpca.com/media/file_02_10_2006a.pdf84 outside the...

A Guide tothe Inspection ofExisting Homes

for Wood-InhabitingFungi and. Insects

A Guide tothe Inspection ofExisting Homes

for Wood-InhabitingFungi and InsectsMichael P. Levi

Prepared as a part of interagency agree-ment IAA-25-75 between the USDAForest Service and the Department ofHousing and Urban Development.

Professor and Specialist-in-Charge, Extension Forest Resources, School ofForest Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Contents3 Foreword

4 Introduction

5 The Guide and Its Use

6 Wood as a Construction Material

7 Wood-inhabiting Organisms:Distribution and Characteristics

8 Surface Molds & Sapstain Fungi

10 Brown & White Rot*ft 12 Water-conducting Fungi

14 White-pocket Rot16 Subterranean Termites18 Formosan Subterranean Termites

20 Drywood Termites22 Dampwood Termites

24 Carpenter Ants26 Wood-boring Beetles. Bees,

and Wasps

28 Lyctic Powderpost Beetles30 Anobiid Beetles32 Bostrichid Beetles34 Old House Borer36 Carpenter Bees

38 Other Wood-inhabiting Insects

38 Ambrosia Beetles38 Bark Beetles39 Horntails (Wood Wasps)39 Round-headed Borers40 Flat-headed Borers

41 Inspection for Wood-inhabitingOrganisms

42 Tools for Inspection44 Procedure for Inspection

49 Inspection of Existing Homes50 Around the Foundations-

Crawlspace Construction50 Outside58 In the Craw!space

64 Around the Foundations—Basement Construction64 Outside72 In the Basement

78 Around the Foundations-Slab-on-grade Construction78 Outside82 In the Living Area

84 Outside the House—AboveGround Level

90 Inside the Living Area and Attic

96 Inspection Report for Wood-inhabiting Fungi and Insects

97 Wood-inhabiting OrganismsReport—Existing Homes

100 Appendix: Protection of WoodAgainst Decay by Region andProduct End-use.100 Quality Marks for Pressure-

treated Wood

101 Protective Treatments for LowDecay Hazard Zone

102 Protective Treatments forModerate Decay Hazard Zone

103 Protective Treatments for HighDecay Hazard Zone

104 Acknowledgements

Tree species can be divided intohardwoods, which generally losetheir leaves in the winter, and soft-woods, which are usually evergreen.Oak, ash. hickory, and aspen arecommon hardwoods. Pine, hem-lock, fir, and redwood are commonsoftwoods. The terms hardwood andsoftwood do not refer to the hard-ness of the wood.

The wood of most trees consistsof a light-colored outer band, thesapwood, and a darker-coloredinner portion. the heartwood. Thesapwood of all species is susceptibleto attack by fungi and insects. Theheartwood of some species ispartially resistant. Examples ofspecies with resistant heartwood areredwood, cedar, cypress, and blacklocust. These are becoming moredifficult to obtain as we harvestyounger trees, and are becomingmore variable in their resistantquality. Consequently, the use ofthese woods is not recommendedwhere there is a high risk of decay.Wood pressure-treated with preserv-ative chemicals should be used insuch situations.

At first sight. wood appears tobe a very solid material. However,it is made up of many tiny tubeswhich make it very porous. If a pieceof oven-dried wood is left in a room,it will pick up moisture from the air.The moisture is attracted to the wallsof the tubes which make up thewood. As the walls absorb moisture,the wood swells. If the humidity iskept at 100 percent, the wallsbecome saturated with water. Themoisture content at which thisoccurs is the fiber saturation point:approximately 30 percent by weightfor most species used in construc-tion. Fungi will only decay wood witha moisture content above the fibersaturation point. To allow a safetymargin, we say that wood with amoisture content above 20 percentis susceptible to decay. Wood inproperly constructed houses seldomwill have a moisture content above16 to 18 percent. Thus, wood willonly decay if it is in contact withthe ground or wetted by an externalsource of moisture: for example. rainseepage. plumbing leaks, or conden-sation. Dry wood will never decay.Also, the drier the wood, the lessli kely it is to be attacked by mosttypes of wood-inhabiting insects.

Wood-inhabiting fungi are smallplants which lack chlorophyll anduse wood as their food source.Some fungi use only starch andproteins in the wood and don'tweaken it. Others use the structuralcomponents, and as they grow theyweaken the.wood. which eventuallybecomes structurally useless. Allfungi require moisture, oxygen.warmth, and food. The keys to pre-venting or controlling growth offungi in wood in buildings are toeither keep wood dry (below amoisture content of 20 percent) orto use preservative-treated ornaturally-resistant heartwood. Fordetailed recommendations on selec-tion of preservative-treated ornaturally-resistant wood to preventdecay. see Appendix 1.

Wood-inhabiting insects canbe divided into those which usewood as a food material — termitesand wood-boring beetles, forexample, and those which use it forshelter — carpenter ants and bees,for example. For termites, damage iscaused by immature forms callednymphs and by mature forms calledworkers; for wood-boring beetles, bylarvae or grubs; and for ants andbees, by adult insects. Pressure-treated wood is resistant to attack by

all the insects. Other prevention andcontrol techniques depend on thetype of insect, and are describedwith the respective insect later in theguide.

Some wood-inhabiting organ-isms are found in all parts of thecountry. Others are highly localized.Some, although common. causevery little structural damage. Thefollowing section describes themajor wood-inhabiting organisms,giving their geographic distributionand noting the parts of the housewhere they commonly occur. It mustbe stressed that these distributiondata are approximate. Particularorganisms will, on occasion, occuroutside the marked geographicrange. There may also be localizedareas inside the marked rangeswhere they do not occur. The dataon frequency of occurrence indifferent parts of the house indicatethe part of the house where a par-ticular organism is most commonlyfound. The data do not give thenumber of houses in an area wherethat type of organism occurs. Finally.typical damage caused by eachorganism is illustrated and describedin the text. Use of this section of theguide will assist the inspector inknowing which organisms to expectin an area.

Figure 4. Surface molds onplywood in attic

Surface molds or mildew fungidiscolor the surface of wood, but donot weaken it. They are generallygreen, black, or orange, and pow-dery in appearance. The variousbuilding codes allow the use offraming lumber with surface moldsor mildew, providing that the woodis dry and not decayed. Spores (orseeds) of surface molds or mildewfungi grow quickly on moist wood,or on wood in very humid condi-tions. They can grow on woodbefore it is seasoned, when it is inthe supplier's yard or on the buildingsite. or in a finished house. When thewood dries, the fungi die or becomedormant, but they do not changetheir appearance. Thus, whereversurface molds or mildew fungi areobserved on wood in a building it isa warning sign that at some timethe wood was moist. or humidity washigh. Surface molds and mildewfungi are controlled by eliminatingthe source of high humidity orexcess moisture, for example byrepairing leaks. improving ventila-

tion in attics or crawl spaces, orinstalling soil covers. Before takingcorrective action, the source ofmoisture which allowed fungusgrowth must be determined. If thewood is dry and the sources ofmoisture are no longer present, nocorrective action need be taken.

Sapstain or bluestain fungi aresimilar to surface molds, except thatdiscoloration goes deep into thewood. They color the wood blue,black, or gray and do not weaken it.

They grow quickly on moist woodand do not change their appearancewhen they die or become dormant.They usually occur in the livingtree, or before the wood is seasoned,but sometimes in the supplier's yard,on the building site, or in a finishedhouse. In the latter case they arenormally associated with rain seep-age or leaks. Stain fungi are awarning sign that at some time thewood was moist. Control is the sameas for surface molds or mildew fungi.

Surface Molds &Sapstain Fungi

Figure 3. Sapstain fungi inpine sapwood

LEGEND

co..0,

12E3 OCCASONAL

El RARE OR NEVER

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR 11/

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM —

FURNITURE

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR a WINDOW FRAMES

EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES

— 1111 ROOF TRIM / SIDING

En ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHINGFigure 2. Incidence of damagein different parts of the house

LEGEND

OCCASIONAL

Figure 1. Incidence of damagein the United States

ED ALASKA

ri HAWAII

I= PUERTO RICO

Ej COMM° N

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR IM -FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIMEI —

FURNITURE

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR a WINDOW FRAMES EN

LEGEND

MI COMMON

CM2 OCCASIONAL

O RARE 0/1 NEVER

-nA■11•11■11■••

Brown &White Rot

Figure 7. White rot, withblack zone lines sometimesfound in the early stages ofdecay

Brown and white rot are caused byfungi which decay wood and reduceits strength. The fungi often producea whitish, cottony growth on thesurface of wood. They grow only onmoist wood. The fungi can be pres-ent in the wood when it is broughtinto the house, or can grow fromspores which are always present inthe air and soil. Wood attacked bythese fungi should not be used inconstruction.

Wood decayed by brown-rotfungi is brittle and darkened incolor. As decay proceeds. the woodshrinks, twists, and cracks perpen-dicular to the grain. Finally, itbecomes dry and powdery. Brownrot is the commonest type of decayfound in wood in houses.

Wood decayed by white-rotfungi is fibrous and spongy. and isbleached in color. Sometimes it hasthin, dark lines around decayedareas. The wood does not shrinkuntil decay is advanced.

The fungi can be controlled byeliminating the source of moisturewhich allows them to grow: forexample, by improving drainage andventilation under a house, repairingwater leaks, or preventing waterseepage. When the wood dries, the

fungi die or become dormant.Spraying wood with chemicalsdoes not control decay. If themoisture source cannot be elimi-nated, all the decayed wood shouldbe replaced with pressure-treatedwood.

Figure 8. Brown rot, withcharacteristic cracks acrossgrain

I I RARE OR NEVER

Figure 5. Incidence of damagein the United States for un-treated wood above ground.Untreated wood in contactwith the ground, or wetted bycondensation, plumbingleaks, rain seepage, irrigationwater, etc., will decay in allparts of the country.

E..) ALASKA

EZ1 HAWAII

=1 PUERTO RICO

IN EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES

Ma ROOF TRIM / SIDING

Ea ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHINGFigure 6. Incidence of damagein different parts of the house

LEGEND

E:3 COMMON U OCCASIONAL

RICO

HAWAII

= PUERTO

EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES- ES3 ROOF TRIM / SIDING

El ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHINGFigure 10. Incidence of dam-age in different parts of thehouse

= ALASKA

LEGEND

E OCCASIONAL FT RARE OR NEVER

LEGER()

MI COMMON

OCCASIONAL

D RARE OR NEVER

SILLS JO/STS / SU8FLOOR

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM MI -FURNITURE =I -

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR 8 WINDOW FRAMES IM

Water-conductingFungi

Figure 11. Wood damaged byPoria, with apparently soundsurface and severe rot belowsurface

Most decay fungi are able to growonly on moist wood and cannotattack adjacent dry wood. Twobrown-rot fungi. Poria incrassataand Merulius iacrymans, are ableto conduct water for several feetthrough root-like strands or rhizo-morphs, moisten wood, and thendecay it. These are sometimes calledwater-conducting or dry-rot fungi.They can decay wood in housesvery rapidly, but fortunately theyare quite rare. Poria incrassata isfound most frequently in the South-east and West. Merulius Iacrymansoccurs in the Northeast. Both fungican cause extensive damage infloors and walls away from obvioussources of moisture. Decayed woodhas the characteristics of brownrotted wood except that the surfaceof the wood sometimes appearswavy but apparently sound, al-though the interior may be heavilydecayed. The rhizomorphs whichcharacterize these fungi can be upto an inch in diameter and white toblack in color, depending on their

age. They can penetrate foundationwalls, and often are hidden betweenwood members. The source of mois-ture supporting fungal growth mustbe found and eliminated to controldecay. Common sources includewater leaks and wood in contact withor close to the soil: for example,next to earth-filled porches or

planters. Where the fungus growsfrom a porch. the soil should beremoved from the porch next to thefoundation wall to prevent con-tinued growth of the fungus intothe house. Poria incrassata nor-mally occurs in new or remodeledhouses and can cause extensivedamage within 2 to 3 years.

Figure 12. Rhizomorph ofPoria growing from earth-filled porch

Figure 9. Incidence of damagein the United States

LEGEND •

IM COMMON

El MW OR NEVER

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR -

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM Q -FURNITURE

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR A WINDOW FRAMES

1 s

White-pocket Rot

White-pocket rot is caused by afungus which attacks the heartwoodof living trees. Decayed wood con-tains numerous small, spindle-shaped white pockets filled withfungus. These pockets are generally1/8 to 1/2 inch long. When woodfrom infected trees is seasoned,the fungus dies. Therefore, no con-trol is necessary. White-pocket rotgenerally is found in softwoodlumber from the West Coast.

Figure 15. White-pocket

Figure 13. Incidence of dam-age in the United States


- Q ROOF TRIM / SIDING

ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING

Figure 14. Incidence of dam-age in different parts of thehouse

r

ALASKA

HAWAII

PUERTO RICO

LEGEND

I 1

t 1

Subterranean termites normallydamage the interior of wood struc-tures. Shelter tubes are the com-monest sign of their presence. Othersigns include structural weaknessof wood members, winged termitesor swarmers, soil in cracks or crev-ices, and dark or blister-like areason wood. The major characteristicsof infested softwood when it isbroken open are that damage isnormally greatest in the softerspringwood, and gallery walls andinner surfaces of shelter tubes havea pale, spotted appearance likedried oatmeal. The galleries oftencontain a mixture of soil and di-gested wood. Termites usually enterhouses through wood in contactwith the soil or by building sheltertubes on foundation walls, piers,chimneys, plumbing, weeds, etc.

Athough they normally maintaincontact with the soil, subterraneantermites can survive when they areisolated from the soil if they havea continuing source of moisture.Heavy damage by subterraneantermites (except Formosans) doesnot normally occur within the firstfive to ten years of a house's life,although attack may start as soon asthe house is built. Subterranean

ro-V•■• • - t" lNltlrttr‘xx,,,,

Figure 18A. Subterraneantermite damage showingcharacteristic spottedappearance of the surface ofthe galleries, presence of soilin the damaged wood, and thepreferential attack of thesofter springwood

termites can be controlled most effec-tively by the use of chemicals in thesoil and foundation area of thehouse. by breaking wood-soil contact,and by eliminating excess moisture inthe house. For current informationon control chemicals, the inspectorshould contact the extension ento-mologist at the local land-grantuniversity, or a reputable pest controlcompany.

Figure 18B. Subterraneantermite workers



— Ma ROOF TRIM / SIDING

- ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING


ED ALASKA

E :21 HAWAII

Ez3 PUERTO RICO LEGEND

IN COMMON

E.1 OCCASIONAL

O RARE OR NEVER

JM

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM MO

FURNITURE I=

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR G WINDOW FRAMES 11/

LEGEND

DCOMMON L7 OCCASIONAL El RARE OR NEVER

Figure 19. Subterraneantermite shelter tubes on con-crete block foundation wall

SubterraneanTermites

CE1 ALASKA

17:731 HAWAII

PUERTO1 RICOLEGEND

CON ∎ ON

OCCA61014.41.

Ell Rum ON NEVER

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM I. -FURNITURE Ej -

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR 8 WINDOW FRAMES MI

Ng EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES- 1E2 ROOF TRIM / SIDING

El ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING


FormosanSubterraneanTermites

Figure 22. Carton producedbetween studs by Formosansubterranean termites

Figure 20. Incidence of dam-age in the United States. TheFormosan subterraneantermite has spread to theUnited States from the FarEast. It is common in Hawaiiand the other Pacific Islands.It has been found in Texas,Louisiana, California, andSouth Carolina. It is thoughtthat the insect may eventuallybecome established along allSouthern coasts, the lowerEast and West Coasts, in thelower Mississippi Valley, andin the Caribbean.

Formosan subterranean termites area particularly vigorous species ofsubterranean termite which hasspread to this country from the FarEast. They cause considerabledamage in Hawaii and Guam andhave been found in several locationson the United States mainland. It isanticipated that they could even-tually become established alongSouthern Coasts, the lower East andWest Coasts, in the lower MississippiValley, and in the Caribbean.

The most obvious characteris-tics which distinguish Formosansubterranean termite swarmers fromthose of native species are theirlarger size (up to 5/8 inch comparedwith 1/3 to 1/2 inch) and hairywings (compared with smooth wingsin other subterraneans). Soldiershave oval shaped heads, as opposedto the oblong and rectangular headsof native soldiers. Formosan termitesalso produce a hard material calledcarton which resembles sponge. Thisis sometimes found in cavities underfixtures, or in walls adjacent to

LEGEND

COMMON ni OCCASIONAL 1-1RARE OR NEVER

MM A

attacked wood. Other characteristics— and control methods — are simi-lar to those for native subterraneantermites. However, Formosan sub-terranean termites are more vigor-

Figure 23. Head of nativeB subterranean soldier (A) and

a Formosan subterraneansoldier (B)

ous, and can cause extensivedamage more rapidly than do nativespecies. For this reason Formosansshould be controlled as soon aspossible after discovery.

Figure 27. Drywood termitepellets (approximate length

'25th inch)

•

COMMON I I OCCASIONAL

ALASKA

HAWAII

177111 PUERTO RICOLEGEND

IN EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES

- • ROOF TRIM / SIDING

MI ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHINGFigure 25. Incidence of dam-age in different parts of thehouse

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR MI -FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM • -

FURNITURE MI

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR Ei WINDOW FRAMES

DrywoodTermites

.1■1•11•=1

Figure 26. Drywood termitedamage showing pellets,large chambers of galleries inthe interior of wood, andsmall "kick-holes" on thesurface

It is quite common for houses to beinfested by drywood termites withinthe first five years of their existencein southern California, southernArizona, southern Florida, the Pa-cific area, and the Caribbean.Swarmers generally enter throughattic vents or shingle roofs, but inhot, dry locations they can be foundin crawl spaces. Window sills andframes are other common entrypoints.

Drywood termites live in woodthat is dry. They require no contactwith the soil or with any other sourceof moisture. The first sign of dry-wood termite infestation is usuallypiles of fecal pellets, which are hard,less than 1/25 inch in length, withrounded ends and six flattened ordepressed sides. The pellets vary incolor from light gray to very darkbrown, depending on the woodbeing consumed. The pellets, elimi-nated from galleries in the woodthrough round "kick holes," accum-ulate on surfaces or in spider websbelow the "kick holes." There is

very little external evidence of dry-wood termite attack in wood otherthan the pellets. The interior ofdamaged wood has broad pocketsor chambers which are connected bytunnels that cut across the grainthrough spring- and summerwood.The galleries are perfectly smoothand have few if any surface deposits.There are usually some fecal pelletsstored in unused portions of thegalleries. Swarming is another signof termite presence.

It normally takes a very longti me for the termites to causeserious weakness in house framing.Damage to furniture, trim, andhardwood floors can occur in a fewyears. The choice of control methoddepends on the extent of damage.If the infestation is widespread orinaccessible, the entire houseshould be fumigated. If infestationis limited, spot treatment can beused, or the damaged wood can beremoved.

Figure 24. Incidence of dam-age in the United States. Dry-wood termites can survive infurniture. Thus, they may befound occasionally in allregions of the country infurniture which has beeni mported from a region wherethe termites occur naturally

0

DampwoodTermites

Figure 30A. Dampwoodtermite damage in one inch-thick board, showing somefecal pellets, the velvetyappearance of the surface ofthe galleries, and the prefer-ential attack of the softerspringwood

Dampwood termites of the desertSouthwest and southern Florida arerarely of economic importance instructures. Pacific Coast dampwoodtermites can cause damage greaterthan subterranean termites if en-vironmental conditions are ideal.

Dampwood termites build theircolonies in damp, sometimes decay-ing, wood. Once established. somespecies extend their activities tosound wood. They do not requirecontact with the ground, but dorequire wood with a high moisturecontent. There is little externalevidence of the presence of damp-wood termites other than swarmersor shed wings. They usually areassociated with decayed wood. Theappearance of wood damaged bydampwood termites depends on theamount of decay present. In com-paratively sound wood, galleriesfollow the springwood. In decayedwood, galleries are larger and passthrough both spring- and summer-wood. Some are round in crosssection, others oval. The surfaces of

the galleries have a velvety appear-ance and are sometimes coveredwith dried fecal material. Fecalpellets are about 1/25 inch longand colored according to the kind ofwood being eaten. Found through-out the workings. they are usuallyhard, and round at both ends. Invery damp wood the pellets are

often spherical or irregular, and maystick to the sides of the galleries.

Dampwood termites mustmaintain contact with damp wood.Therefore, they can be controlled byeliminating damp wood. Treatmentof the soil with chemicals can alsobe used to advantage in some areas.

In EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES- ROOF TRIM / SIDING

El ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING


Figure 30B. Dampwoodtermites


ALASKA

HAWAII

PUERTO RICO

I

1SILLS JOISTS / SUBFLOOR -

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR MIMED -FURNITURE (=l

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR 8 WINDOW FRAMES 1231

COMMON

OCCASIONAL

MARK OR MIVOM

LEGEND

COMMON CD OCCASIONAL ri RARE OR NEVER


MI EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHESEZ1 ROOF TRIM / SIDING

Ma ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHINGFigure 31. Incidence of dam-age in the United States

Carpenter Ants

Figure 33A. Carpenter ant(approximate length 3/8 inch)

Larpenter ants burrow into wooa tomake nests, and do not feed on thewood. They commonly nest in deadportions of standing trees, stumps,logs and sometimes wood in houses.Normally they do not cause exten-sive structural damage. Most speciesstart their nests in moist wood thathas begun to decay. They attackhardwoods and softwoods. Themost obvious sign of infestation isthe large reddish-brown to blackants, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, insidethe house. Damage occurs in theinterior of the wood. There may bepiles or scattered bits of woodpowder (frass) which are very fibrousand sawdust-like. If the frass is fromdecayed wood, pieces tend to bedarker and more square ended. Thefrass is expelled from cracks andcrevices, or from slit-like openingsmade in the wood by the ants. It isoften found in basements, darkclosets, attics, under porches, andin crawl spaces. Galleries in thewood extend along the grain andaround the annual rings. The softer

springwood is removed first. Thesurfaces of the galleries are smooth,as if they had been sandpapered,and are clean. The most effectiveway to control carpenter ants is tolocate the nest and kill the queen incolonies in and near the house with

Figure 33B. Carpenter antdamage showing cleangalleries with a smooth surface, the preferential attackthe softer springwood, andsome brown rot on end grai

insecticides. It is sometimes alsohelpful to treat the voids in walls,etc. For current information oncontrol, the inspector should contactthe extension entomologist at hisnearest land grant university, or areputable pest control company.

:.•■11=4,

=3 ALASKA

= HAWAII

PUERTO RICOLEGEND

FIA COMMON OCCASIONAL

GOLRAON

OCCASIONAL

C2 RARE OR NEVER

SILLS JOISTS / SUBFLOOR —FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM El —

FURNITURE

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR 8 WINDOW FRAMES IIII

LEGEND

1.11

■■■

trees and unseasoned lumber.

Shape and size(inches) of Wood

exit/entry hole Type

round 1/50-1/8 softwood & hard

• •round 1/32-1/16 hardwood

• •round 1/16-3/32 bark/sapwood inte

• •round 1/16-1/8

• •softwood & hard

Age of WoodAttackernew none present

new & old fine, flour-like. loosely packed

new fine to coarse. bark colored,tightly packed

new & old fine powder and pellets,loosely packed; pellets maybe absent and frass tightlypacked in some hardwoods

Appearance ofFrass inTunnels

anobiid beetles yes

round 1/2

round-oval 1/8-3/8

41.11110

oval 1/8-1/2

41.oval 1/4-3/8

none present

coarse to fibrous, mostlyabsent

sawdust-like, tightly packed

very fine powder & tinypellets, tightly packed

carpenter bee

round-headedborer

flat-headed borer

old house borer

yes

no

no

yes

absent or sawdust-like,coarse to fibrous; tightlypacked

inspector is unsure of the identity ofthe insect causing damage, a qua-fied entomologist should be consliulted.

New wood is defined as standing or freshly felledOld wood is seasoned or dried lumhor

of the frass. It should then be pos-sible to identify the insect type. It isclear from the table that there isoften considerable variation withinparticular insect groups. Where the

round or flatheaded borer,wood machinedafter attack

nosoftwood & hardwo new

4.flat oval 1/2 or moreor irregular surfacegroove 1/8-1/2 wide

InsectType

ambrosia beetles

lyctid beetles

bark beetles

Reinfesi

no

yes

no

round 3/32-9/32

• •round 1/6-1/4

• •

softwood & hardy, o<(bamboo)

softwood

fine to coarse powder, tightlypacked

new coarse, tightly packed

bostrichid beetles

horntail orwoodwasp

rarely

no

softwood new & old

softwood & hard

softwood & hard new

softwood new & old

new

Wood-boringBeetles, Bees,and WaspsThere are numerous species ofwood-boring insects which occur inhouses. Some of these cause con-siderable damage if not controlledquickly. Others are of minor impor-tance and attack only unseasonedwood. Beetles, bees, and wasps allhave larval, or grub, stages in theirlife cycles, and the mature flyinginsects produce entry or exit holes inthe surface of the wood. Theseholes, and sawdust from tunnelsbehind the holes, are generally thefirst evidence of attack visible to thebuilding inspector. Correct identifica-tion of the insect responsible for thedamage is essential if the appro-priate control method is to beselected. The characteristics of eachof the more common groups ofbeetles, bees, and wasps are dis-cussed following the table whichsummarizes the size and shape ofentry or exit holes produced bywood-boring insects, the types ofwood they attack, the appearance offrass or sawdust in insect tunnels,and the insect's ability to reinfestwood in a house.

To use the table, match the sizeand shape of the exit or entry holesin the wood to those shown in thetable; note whether the damagedwood is a hardwood or softwoodand whether damage is in a new orold wood product (evidence of in-active infestations of insects whichattack only new wood will often befound in old wood: there is no needfor control of these). Next, probe the

-mine the appearance

it lJi i11 I

Figure 36. Lyctid powderposia beetle damage with exit hole

'1 1 11 1 1 1 I 191 on surface and powder-filled galleries in the interior

EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES— 0 ROOF TRIM / SIDING

0 ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHINGFigure 34. Incidence of dam-age in the United States

FigureFigure 35. Incidence of dam-age in different parts of thehouse

[ ALASKA

HAWAII

PUERTO RICO

LEGEND

I IRARE OR NEVER

CANYON

MCA/MONK

AARE Oft IOWA=OCCASIONAL

SILLS / JOISTS / SO:FLOOR 0FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM'.

FURNITURE pmDOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR a WINDOW FRAMES -

Lyctid Powder-post BeetlesLyctids attack only the sapwood ofhardwoods with large pores: forexample, oak, hickory, ash, walnut,pecan. and many tropical hard-woods. They reinfest seasonedwood until it disintegrates. Lyctidsrange from 1/8 to 1/4 inch in lengthand are reddish-brown to black. Thepresence of small piles of fine flour-like wood powder (frass) on orunder the wood is the most obvioussign of infestation. Even a slightjarring of the wood makes the frasssift from the holes. There are nopellets. The exit holes are round andvary from 1/32 to 1/16 inch indiameter. Most of the tunnels areabout 1/16 inch in diameter andloosely packed with fine frass. Ifdamage is severe, the sapwood maybe completely converted within afew years to frass held in by a very

thin veneer of surface wood withbeetle exit holes. The amount ofdamage depends on the level ofstarch in the wood. Infestations arenormally limited to hardwood panel-ing, trim, furniture, and flooring.Replacement or removal and fumi -

gation of infested materials are

usually the most economical andeffective control methods. Forcurrent information on the use ofresidual insecticides, the inspectorshould contact the extension ento-mologist at his nearest land grantuniversity, or a reputable pest controlcompany.

O ALASKA

HAWAII

O PUERTO RICO

SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR • —

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM ES] —

FURNITURE Ea

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR A WINDOW FRAMES EMI

RARE OR NE VE

LEGEND

COMMON OCCASIONAL I ICOWOON

OCCASIONAL

AnobiidBeetles

Figure 39. Anobiid damagewith powder streaming frominsect exit holes


The most common anobiids attackthe sapwood of hardwoods and soft-woods. They reinfest seasonedwood if environmental conditionsare favorable. Attacks often startin poorly heated or ventilated crawlspaces and spread to other parts ofthe house. They rarely occur inhouses on slab foundations. Ano-biids range from 1/8 to 1/4 inch inlength and are reddish-brown tonearly black. Adult insects arerarely seen. The most obvious signof infestation is the accumulation ofpowdery frass and tiny pellets under-neath infested wood or streamingfrom exit holes. The exit holes areround and vary from 1/16 to 1/8inch in diameter. If there are largenumbers of holes and the powder isbright and light-colored like freshlysawed wood, the infestation is bothold and active. If all the frass isyellowed and partially caked on thesurface where it lies, the infestationhas been controlled or has died outnaturally. Anobiid tunnels are nor-mally loosely packed with frass and

pellets. It is normally 10 or moreyears before the numbers of beetlesinfesting wood become largeenough for their presence to benoted. Control can be achieved byboth chemical and non-chemical

--- MI EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES— El ROOF TRIM / SIDING

mi ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING

Figure 40. Frass and pelletproduced by Anobiid beetl((pellets approximately 1/2!inch long)

methods. For current information oncontrol of anobiids, the inspectorshould contact the extension ento-mologist at his nearest land grantuniversity, or a reputable pestcontrol company.


Figure 43. Bostrichid powder-post beetle damage inbamboo with exit holes onsurface and some powder-filled galleries in the interior.

F.--1 OCCASIONAL I 1 RARE OR NEVER


ALASKA

HAWAII

PUERTO RICO

■•■■•■=1,

LEGEND

Ill CANNON

OCCADIONAL/4

Bostrichid

•

PowderpostBeetles

Most bostrichids attack hardwoods,but a few species attack softwoods.They rarely attack and reinfestseasoned wood. Bostrichids rangefrom 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length andfrom reddish-brown to black. Theblack polycaon is an atypicalbostrichid and can be 1/2 to 1 inchin length. The first signs of infesta-tion are circular entry holes for theegg tunnels made by the females.The exit holes made by adults aresimilar, but are usually filled withfrass. The frass is meal-like andcontains no pellets. It is tightlypacked in the tunnels, and does notsift out of the wood easily. The exitholes are round and vary from 3/32to 9/32 inch in diameter. Bostrichidtunnels are round and range from

1/16 to 3/8 inch in diameter. Ifdamage is extreme, the sapwoodmay be completely consumed.Bostrichids rarely cause significantdamage in framing lumber and pri-

manly affect individual pieces ofhardwood flooring or trim. Replace-ment of structurally weakened mem-bers is usually the most economicaland effective control method.

Eg EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES

1721 ROOF TRIM / SIDING

ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING

SILLS JOISTS / SUSFLOOR EM -FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM!. —

FURNITURE

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR a WINDOW FRAMES I.


Figure 47. Typical etchingwall of old house borer gall

SILLS / JOISTS / SU8FLOOR MI -

FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM El —FURNITURE (E)

DOORS / WINDOWS / DOOR a WINDOW FRAMES Ea

ALASKA

HAWAII

PUERTO RICO

1

ILEGEND

1111 C01.40■1

OCCAIIIONALRARE Olt MCVER

I I OCCASIONAL RARE OR NEVED COMMON

LEGEND


E22 EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES— EL) ROOF TRIM / SIDING

• ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING


--011■111.

Old House Borer

Figure 46. Old house borerdamage with oval exit holeand powder-filled galleriesin interior of wood

The old house borer attacks only thesapwood of softwoods, primarilypine. It reinfests seasoned wood,unless it is very dry. The old houseborer probably ranks next to termitesin the frequency with which it occursin houses in the Middle AtlanticStates. The beetle ranges from 5/8 to1 inch in length. and is brownish-black in color. The first noticeablesign of infestation by the old houseborer may be the sound of larvaeboring in the wood. They make arhythmic ticking or rasping sound,much like a mouse gnawing. Insevere infestations the frass. whichis packed loosely in tunnels, maycause the thin surface layer of thewood to bulge out. giving the wooda blistered look. When adultsemerge (3 to 5 years in the South:5 to 7 years in the North), small pilesof frass may appear beneath or ontop of infested wood. The exit holesare oval and 1/4 to 3/8 inch in di-ameter. They may be made throughhardwood, plywood, wood siding,trim, sheetrock, paneling, or flooring.

The frass is composed of very finepowder and tiny blunt-ended pellets.If damage is extreme, the sapwoodmay be completely reduced to pow-dery frass with a very thin layer ofsurface wood. The surfaces of thetunnels have a characteristic rippledpattern li ke sand over which water

has washed. Control can beachieved by both chemical andnon-chemical methods. For currentinformation on control of the oldhouse borer, the inspector shouldcontact the extension entomologistat his nearest land grant university,or a reputable pest control company.

'4

1 PUERTO RICO


ALASKA

1-1 HAWAII

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees usually attack softand easy-to-work woods, such asCalifornia redwood. cypress. cedar,and Douglas fir. Bare wood. forexample, unfinished siding or rooftrim, is preferred. The only externalevidence of attack is the entry holesmade by the female. These areround and 1/2 inch in diameter. Arather coarse sawdust-like frass mayaccumulate on surfaces below theentry hole. The frass is usually thecolor of freshly sawed wood. Thepresence of carpenter bees in woodsometimes attracts woodpeckers,which increase the damage to thesurface of the wood. The carpenterbee tunnels turn at a right angleafter extending approximately aninch across the grain of the wood,except when entry is through theend of a board. They then follow

the grain of the wood in a straightli ne, sometimes for several feet. Thetunnels are smooth-walled. It takesseveral years of neglect for seriousstructural failure to occur. However,damaged wood is very unsightly,particularly if woodpeckers havefollowed the bees. The bees can be

Figure 50. Carpenter beeentry hole (approximatediameter 1/2 inch) withstreak of fecal matter below

controlled by applying 5 to 10 per-cent carbaryl (Sevin) dust into theentry holes. Several days after treat-ment, the holes should be pluggedwith dowel or plastic wood. Preven-tion is best achieved by painting allexposed wood surfaces.

Ea EXTERIOR COLUMNS / STEPS / DECKS / PORCHES

ROOF TRIM / SIDING

- El ROOF RAFTERS / JOISTS / SHEATHING


LEGEND SILLS / JOISTS / SUBFLOOR ID -LEGEND I. COMMON FLOORING / WALLS / INTERIOR TRIM = -

OR NEVERWI

E:=1°CORPORAL

RARE OR NEVER DOORS / WINDOWS /

FURNITURE (EjE I OCCASIONAL 1 RARE

DOOR a WINDOW FRAMES

Bark beetlesThese tunnel at the wood/bark

interface and etch the surface ofwood immediately below the bark.Beetles left under bark edges onlumber may survive for a year ormore as the wood dries. Somebrown, gritty frass may fall frorrcircular bore holes in the bark.diameter 1/16 to 3/32 inch. Theseinsects do not infest wood.

Figure 52. Bark beetle dam-age at bark/wood interface

1111111111111111111117171.71.411

Other Wood-inhabitingInsects

There are several other species ofinsects which infest dying or freshlyfelled trees or unseasoned wood, butwhich do not reinfest seasonedwood. They may emerge from woodin a finished house, or evidence oftheir presence may be observed. Onrare occasions, control measuresmay be justified to prevent disfigure-ment of wood, but control is notneeded to prevent structuralweakening.

Ambrosia beetlesThese insects attack unsea-

soned sapwood and heartwood ofsoftwood and hardwood logs,producing circular bore holes 1/50to 1/8 inch in diameter. Bore holesdo not contain frass, but are fre-quently stained blue. black, orbrown. These insects do not infestseasoned wood.

Horntails(wood wasps)

Horntails generally attack un-seasoned softwoods and do notreinfest seasoned wood. Onespecies sometimes emerges inhouses from hardwood firewood.Horntails occasionally emergethrough paneling, siding, or sheet-rock in new houses; it may take 4to 5 years for them to emerge.They attack both sapwood andheartwood, producing a tunnelwhich is roughly C-shaped in thetree. Exit holes and tunnels arecircular in cross section, with diam-eter 1/6 to 1/4 inch. Tunnels aretightly packed with coarse frass.Frequently. tunnels are exposed onthe surface of lumber by milling afterdevelopment of the insect.

figure 54. Round-headedborer damage

Figure 53. Horntail damagewith characteristic circulargalleries and tightly packedfrass. Note slight stain aroundgallery in lower left corner.

Round-headed borersSeveral species are included in

this group. They attack sapwood ofsoftwoods and hardwoods duringstorage, but rarely attack seasonedwood. The old house borer is themajor round-headed borer whichcan reinfest seasoned wood. Whenround-headed borers emerge fromwood. they make slightly oval tonearly round exit holes 1/8 to 3/8inch in diameter. Frass varies fromrather fine and meal-like in somespecies to very coarse fibers likepipe tobacco in others. Frass may beabsent from tunnels, particularlywhere the wood was machined afteremergence of the insects.

a

Figure 51. Ambrosia beetledamage with characteristicempty pin holes surroundedby darkly stained wood

38

Flat-headed borersThey attack sapwood and

heartwood of softwoods and hard-woods. Exit holes are oval, with thelong diameter 1/8 to 1/2 inch.Wood damaged by flat-headedborers is generally sawed afterdamage has occurred, so tunnels areexposed on the surface of infestedwood. Tunnels are packed withsawdust-like borings and pellets, andtunnel walls are covered with finetransverse lines somewhat similar tosome round-headed borers. How-ever, the tunnels are much moreflattened. The golden buprestid isone species of flat-headed borerwhich occurs occasionally in theRocky Mountain and Pacific CoastStates. It produces an oval exit hole

3/16 to 1/4 inch across. and maynot emerge from wood in houses for10 or more years after infestationof the wood. It does not reinfestseasoned wood.

If signs of insect or fungusdamage other than those alreadydescribed are observed, the inspec-tor should have the organismresponsible identified before recom-mending corrective measures. Smallsamples of damaged wood, with anyfrass and insect specimens (larvaeor grubs must be stored in vials filledwith alcohol), should be sent foridentification to the entomology orpathology department of the stateland grant university.

a

:z•

Inspection forWood-inhabitingOrganisms

The major purposes of inspectinghouses for wood-inhabiting organ-isms are to discover the presenceof wood-inhabiting organisms andthe conditions which favor theirpresence. Ideally, a thoroughinspection should be performed ona house during construction, andthen at least once a year. When thisis not done, a thorough inspectionof existing houses is necessary toreduce the possibility of the futureowner having to spend hundreds orthousands of dollars repairingdamage. If an inspection is to meetthis objective, it must involve morethan a cursory glance in the attic andcrawl space, and more than a quickwalk around the exterior and interiorof the house.

It is not feasible for a buildinginspector to examine every part of

the house where wood-inhabitingorganisms can occur. However, acareful inspection of all accessibleareas will generally uncover seriousdamage or conditions which maylead to serious damage. Inaccessibleareas which have not been inspectedshould always be listed on the reportform to alert the future owner topotential danger areas.

When evidence of damage isfound, the organism causing thedamage must be identified so thatthe inspector can properly assessthe potential for additional damage.This will sometimes require theassistance of a qualified entomol-ogist or pathologist. Finally, theinspector must determine the needfor repair, replacement, and treat-ment of the damaged areas, basedupon the structural damage whichhas occurred and the potential forfuture damage.

Figure 55. Flat-headed borerdamage

Moisture Register Products2583 Pomona Blvd.

Pomona. CA 91768Tel. 714-594-5545

Lignomat

P.O. Box 30145

Portland. OR 97230Tel. 1-800-227-2105

' Suppliers of suitable small meters include:

Delmhorst Instrument Company51 Indian Lane East

Towaco, N.J. 07082

Tel. 1-800-222-0638

Gann Sales and Service

12265 W. Bayaud Ave. Suite 105Lakewood, CO 80228

Tel. 303-980-8484

kocclusion from this list does not imply an inferior product. inclusion is not an endorsement.

Figure 56. Inspection equip-ment: stepladder, screwdriv,hacksaw blade, moisturemeter, flashlight with sparebatteries and bulb, clipboar-inspection form, pen, glovesbump helmet, and coveralls

A 01

Tools forInspection

The following articles are needed ifa professional inspection for wood-inhabiting fungi and insects is to becompleted.

1. Coveralls

2. Bump helmet and gloves forcrawl space and attic inspections

3. A good flashlight and sparebatteries and bulbs

4. A screwdriver or similarinstrument for probing wood

5. A hammer or similar instru-

ment for sounding wood

6. A moisture meter with arange of at least 15 to 24 percentmoisture

7. A pencil, clipboard, gridpaper, and measuring tape

8. A ladder for inspecting rooftrim kind other items above ground

9. A stepladder for gainingaccess to attics

10. Tools for opening accessesinto crawl spaces

11. A hacksaw blade for check-; ing earth-filled porches adjacent to

crawl spaces

A moisture meter will enablethe inspector t( , termine whetheror not the moisture content of thewood is high enough to supportgrowth of wood-inhabiting fungi.The moisture content of woodshould be below 20 percent. Themeter is used to check the moisturecontent of wood where moistureproblems are suspected.

The electrical resistance ofwood decreases as its moisturecontent increases. This is the basisfor the operation of the small.commercially available moisturemeters' They measure resistancebetween two needles inserted intothe wood. and give a direct readoutof the moisture content. The needlesof the meter should be inserted

along the grain of wood to give themost accurate results. Temperaturecorrections should be applied to themoisture content readings takenbelow 70°F and above 90°F (cor-rection tables are supplied withmeters). Finally, the meters shouldnot be used in wood treated withwater-borne wood preservatives orfire retardants.

DRYWOOD TERMITES OR

DECAY IN EAVES

ORYWOOD TERMITES OR DECAY

IN WINDOW FRAMESPOOR VENTILATION

IN AT TIC

OUTSIDE GUTTERS LEAKING

PAINT ON SIDING

PEELING -

WOOD IN SOIL CONTACT

EARTH-FILLED PORCH

POOR DRAINAGE

AROUND HOUSE

POOR VENTILATION INCRAWL SPACE

TERMITE TUBESON FOUNDATION

Inspection should include examina-tion of the exterior of the house,both at and above grade level; theinterior living area; the attic; andthe crawl space or basement whereapplicable. The inspector should,whenever possible, interview theoccupant of the house beforestarting his inspection to gain usefulinformation on previous or existinginsect and fungus problems, waterleaks, etc. However, it must beremembered that such informationmay be biased.

The first step of the inspectionproper is to make a circuit of theexterior, recording on grid paper thedimensions of the house, includingporches, patios. carports, etc. Thiswill help you spot inaccessible areasthat might be overlooked whenmaking the inspection of the interior.

Look for signs of excessivemoisture around the house. The lotshould be graded so that waterdrains away frail the house, anddownspouts should discharge wateraway from the house, not against it.In crawl space construction, checkwhether or not vents give satisfactorycross ventilation. To do this, theymust be open in the summer.Wherever wood is in contact with orclose to the soil. check it carefullyfor signs of insect attack and decay.This will require careful visualinspection, probing. and soundingwith a hammer or similar instrument,and is particularly important forwood columns and steps, doors,door frames, and siding, andstuccoed walls, pilasters. and archesclose to the soil. Note all areaswhere untreated wood is in contactwith or too close to the soil. Inregions where subterranean termitesoccur, look for termite shelter tubeson the foundation walls. in cracks inthe walls and between the mainfoundation and attached slabs,behind shrubs or other vegetation,and in firewood, formboards, or

wood debris against the house. Alsolook carefully for evidence of termiteactivity in planters and in woodenstructures such as fences, fence-posts. trellises, etc.. against thehouse. Plumbing inspection doors inslab-on-ground houses, meter boxes.and crawl space access doors shouldbe examined carefully for evidenceof insect attack and decay. Checkfor the presence of foundationwaterproofing below grade on base-ment walls. Finally, determine ifwalkway, porch, and patio slabsslope away from the house. This canbe done easily by pouring water onthe slab and noting the direction ofrun-off.

Whenever insect attack, decay,excessive moisture, or untreatedwood in contact with or too close tothe soil is noted, it should be re-corded on the inspection report.The type and extent of damageshould also be recorded.

Continuing the inspection ofthe house exterior, examine woodsiding, windows and window frames,roof trim including gables, eaves,soffits and fascia, and any otherexposed wood items for signs ofinsect attack or decay. Insect exitholes, sawdust or pellets caught incobwebs or on window ledges,cracked or blistered paint, and water

stains are some of the most com-mon signs of infestation. Windowand door frames should be caulkedand windows glazed. There shouldbe flashing at doors, windows, atroof/wall and roof/chimney inter-sections, and around pipes andvents projecting through the roof.The shingles should form a contin-uous drip edge over the eave andrake. If gutters and downspouts arepresent, they should be free of leaks.and not be blocked by debris. Thereshould be ventilation in all parts ofthe attic through the use of soffit andgable end of roof peak vents, de-pending on the roof type. Note onthe inspection report evidence ofdecay and insect attack.

Turning now to the living area,every room of the house should beexamined systematically for evi-dence of insect attack, decay, ormoisture damage. This inspectionshould include not only a carefulvisual examination, but also probingand sounding of critical items. suchas the baseboards and areas wheredamage is suspected. Inspectionshould start with the entrance doorand its frame, include observation ofthe walls, ceiling, and floor, inspec-tion of baseboards and wood trim,and a careful look in closets andaround showers. tubs, sinks, washingmachines, etc. These should beexamined carefully for signs of leaks.For the shower, this is done byplugging the drain, running water

Procedure forInspection

into the shower stall, and seeing ifthe water leaks out within 15minutes. If subterranean termitesoccur in the area, the plumbingshould be examined for termitetubes. The walls and ceilings shouldbe examined for water stains; mud-li ke deposits which are sometimesbuilt on exposed surfaces byFormosan subterranean termitesworking inside the walls; and slightlyraised areas on paint or wallpaper,which may hide subterranean ter-mites.

Cracks between baseboardsand the floor and walls around theperimeter of the house should beinspected carefully for termite tubesin areas where subterraneantermites occur. The baseboardsshould be tapped, and any hollowareas carefully probed. Examinationof the baseboard area and of cracksaround built-in cabinets and doorand window frames is particularlycritical in slab-on-grade construction,because termite entry points areoften hidden by floor coverings,interior finish, and trim.

In trying to detect damagecaused by insects inside the house,the observations of the homeownerscan be very helpful, because theymay have found and removed saw-dust or pellets produced by insects.In areas where drywood termitesoccur, window sills, closet andcupboard floors, and around thebaseboards should be examined for

fecal pellets. The floors should beinspected not only for evidence ofsagging. buckling, or settlementwhich would indicate extensiveproblems, but also for localizeddiscoloration or depressions indi-cating limited insect or fungal attack.Oddly placed scatter rugs, tables.etc., may hide such damage.

Attic inspection is often compli-cated because some or all of thespace is inaccessible or hidden byinsulation. Such areas should alwaysbe noted on the inspection report.The attic should be inspected forsigns of decay, insect damage, andwater stains. Particular attentionshould be paid to the sheathing atthe eaves, around chimneys, ventpipes, and TV antennas for signs ofdecay or water stains. In regions withsevere winters, decay or water stainson the sheathing at the eaves maybe due to the formation of ice dams.Elimination of this problem requiresi mprovement of the ventilation andinsulation in the attic. Roof rafters,the ridge pole, ceiling joists, woodattic vents, and the top plates of allpartition walls should be examinedfor evidence of insect attack. such aspiles or pellets or sawdust, and forinsect exit holes. In regions wheresubterranean termites are aproblem. chimneys and areas overearth-filled porches should beinspected carefully for termite tubes.As with other parts of the house, alldamage should be noted on theinspection report as it is found.

The final major area of manyhouses which should be inspectedis the crawl space or basement.Although attic inspection sometimes

can be difficult or even impossible,the crawl space is normally the leastpleasant area of the house toinspect. However, it is the areawhere fungi and insects often causeextensive damage without beingnoticed. Therefore, it must beexamined carefully.

In crawl space inspection, theentire sub-floor area should bechecked systematically for signs ofdecay.. insect attack, water stains,and mold or sapstain. Particularattention should be paid to woodnext to earth-filled porches, planters,carports, patios, on the upslope sideof houses on sloped lots, and otherareas where soil is close to the wood,or where there is excessive moistureagainst the house. Also, wood underbathrooms. kitchens, and utilityrooms should be examined carefullyfor signs of water leaks. If mold orsapstain fungi are present on thewood, corrective procedures shouldbe recommended only if themoisture content of the wood isgreater than 20 percent, or it isconfirmed by some other methodthat the fungi are active. Earth-filled porches and planters shouldbe checked to ensure that there is abarrier between the soil and the sillsor headers. This can be done byinserting a thin blade at severalpoints under the sills behind porchesand planters. The blade should notpenetrate beyond the sills orheaders.

In areas where subterraneantermites occur, all perimeter foun-dation walls, pillars, interior walls,chimney bases and hearths, and

pipes making contact with the soilshould be examined for the pres-ence of termite tubes. Cracksbetween the foundations and sills,joists, and beams should also beinspected carefully for tubes.

The presence in the crawl spaceof standing water, wet foundationwalls, wood debris, formboards, treestumps, and untreated wood in soilcontact should be noted. Thepresence of polyethylene or a similarsoil cover should also be noted.Clearance between the soil anduntreated sills and joists should beat least 18 inches: for beams theclearance should be at least 12inches. Vents from dryers andcondensate lines from air condition-ing units should discharge outsidethe house, not in the crawl space.Inaccessible areas should be noted.

In unfinished basements, theinspection procedure is similar tothat for crawl spaces, except that itis usually much simpler. An addi-tional step required is that all woodon the slab should be inspectedcarefully for signs of decay or insectattack. A note should be made ofany untreated wood structureswhich penetrate or are in contactwith the slab. Finished basementsare inspected in the same way asliving areas. However, if the base-ment has a suspended ceiling.panels should be removed to inspectsills, joists and beams resting on theperimeter walls for evidence ofinsect attack.

IN ATTIC

LEAK AROUNDVENT PIPE

SUBTERRANEANTERMITE TUBESABOVE PORCH

DRYW000 TERMITEPELLETS INSECT HOLES IN

RAFTERS OR JOISTS

Attached and detached garagesand storage sheds are the last itemswhich should be checked by theinspector. This is particularly impor-tant for attached structures, becausethese can provide direct entry forfungi and insects into the houseitself. The inspection procedurewill normally be similar to that forunfinished basements. A thoroughexamination may be impossiblebecause of the accumulation ofstored materials. This should benoted on the inspection report.

When each part of the househas been inspected and the pres-ence of decay and insect damage —or conditions which will allow suchdamage to occur — have beenrecorded, the inspector must decidewhat corrective action should betaken. This requires identification ofthe cause of damage: the type ofinsect, the type of decay, and the

source of moisture which allowsdecay to occur. This may requirethe assistance of a qualified ento-mologist or pathologist. The recom-mended corrective proceduresshould take into account theamount of damage, the potentialfor spread of the damage, or theli kelihood of new damage occurringbecause of poor constructionprocedures. The objective ofcorrective procedures should be tosave money for the prospectivepurchaser of the house by prevent-ing or controlling decay and insectdamage. This can be gauged quiteeasily for correction of existingproblems. However, the inspectorshould always use careful judgmentbefore recommending correctiveprocedures designed to preventfuture deterioration, particularly inexisting homes which have stood forseveral years without decay or insectattack despite faults in construction.

IN CRAWL SPACE

MOISTURE, ROT, OR INSECT 'HOLES ON JOISTS, ETC.

WATER LEAK AROUNDPLUMBING

7.

ifig 01 11. ...g.4ai,...aw

UNTREATED WOOD NEXT TOSOIL IN EARTH FILLEDPORCH OR PLANTER

TERMITE TUBESON FOUNDATION

FORMWORK ANDWOOD DEBRIS

LACK OF PROPERVENTILATION INCRAWL SPACE

Around the Foundations Crawl Space Construction(including crawl space areas in ranch, multi-story,half basement, and split level houses).

Checklist'

Outside

1. Surface water drainstowards the house, notaway from it

Yes No N/A

q q

2. Rain water from the roof q qdrains under the house

3. Walkway, patio, and porchslabs slope towards thehouse, not away from it

4. Form boards, grade stakes, q q q

wood debris, and paperproducts have been leftaround the house

5. Firewood and lumber piles q q qare less than 6 inches awayfrom the house

6. Wood in contact with thesoil is not pressure treatedor not stamped with the ap-propriate quality mark

4

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it should be recommended that the problem be corrected asdescribed in the "Corrective Procedures' . section, except that a corrective procedure designed to preventfuture decay or insect attack should only be recommended in an existing house when there is good reasonto believe that such problems will occur if corrective steps are not taken. For example. if framing in a 10-

Yeaer.

cooldmhmoeunsde risegoriaildy i4nginches above outside grade, but free of fungus or insect attack, it is not necessaryto

2 N/A r--4.not applicable

Corrective Procedures

Alter surface drainage so that water runs away from the building by regrading the lot:by building a retaining wall or Swale: or by installing drain tile and/or gravel to interceptwater before it reaches the house.BEFORE AFTER

Change the slope of the slab to direct water away from the house. If this is not prac-ticable. caulk all cracks between the slab and the wall of the house to prevent waterseepage under the house.

Remove untreated wood form boards and grade stakes, wood debris. and paperproducts. Otherwise, they may provide an entry point for fungi and insects.

Move firewood and lumber piles so that they are at least 6 inches away from the house.

See Appendix 1 (p. 100) for examples of acceptable quality marks for pressure-treatedl

umber, and their applicability. Replace improperly treated or untreated wood in con-tact with the soil with pressure-treated wood or an alternative resistant material.

REGRADE SWALE RETAINING DRAIN TILE/WALL GRAVEL

Drain rain water away from the house with gutters. downspouts and splashblocks; byregrading: or by attaching draintile to downspouts to deposit the water in a storm sewer,dry well, or other location where it will not run under a house.

7. Other wood exposed to ahigh risk of decay or insectattack is not preservativetreated or naturally resist-ant, or not stamped with theappropriate quality or grademark

8. Wood siding is less than 6inches above outside grade

9. Paint or stucco is blistered,peeling, or loose

10. Untreated wood framing isless than 8 inches aboveoutside grade

See Appendix for wood items which should be pressure treated or naturally resistant.Replace untreated wood if practicable. Alternatively brush it with a wood preservative/water repellent solution.

Lower grade so that soil is 6 inches below wood siding, but prevent rain water fromdraining under the house.

Try to determine if problem is caused by excessive moisture, poor maintenance, orimproper use of materials (for example, application of oil-based paints on latex, or la-tex paints on oil sometimes leads to blistering or peeling of the paint). If excessivemoisture is the problem, locate the source of moisture and where possible eliminate it.For example, improve ventilation in crawl space, install vapor barriers in the walls, orvent moist air out of bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms. Loose stucco should beexamined carefully for the presence of subterranean termites.

Yes No N/A2

111 q q

q q q

q I Lower grade so that soil is at least 8 inches below untreated wood framing. but pre-vent rain water from draining under the house.

11. Untreated wood framing isless than 8 inches above soilin earth-filled porches andplanters (not critical whenseparated by flashing orpoured concrete, or whenporches or planters areseparate structures)

q 111 q Remove soil under the porch slab so that soil is at least 8 inches below untreatedwood framing: or pour concrete to isolate soil from wood in the house. For planters,install continuous flashing or pour concrete to isolate from wood in the house.

BEFORE AFTER

PORCH SLAB

HOUSE INTERIOR

tO4

SOILSOIL SLAB

SOIL EXCAVATED ATWOOD/SOIL CONTACTPOINT

POURED CONCRETE ATWOOD/SOIL CONTACTPONT

12. Untreated wood framing isless than 8 inches above soilunder carport and patioslabs

Install continuous flashing or pour concrete to separate wood framing from soil underthe carport or patio slab if there is a possibility of moisture accumulation under theslab.

Yes No N/A?

13. Areas under suspended slab q q qporches above grade are in-accessible for inspection

14. There are termite tubes q 111 qpresent on the foundationwalls (these are particularlycommon where wood sidingis close to outside grade,and there are shrubs orplants close to the wall, andin cracks in the foundationwalls)

15. There is evidence of decay'close to the grade ina. wood siding q q q

b. doors, door frames and 1=1 q qsills

c. wooden steps O q q

d. wood columns q q q

e. crawl space access doors q q q

f. fence posts, arches, or q q qother non-structuralitems attached to thehouse

Provide inspection accesses from either the house side of the porch, or from theoutside.

Treat the house foundations with termite control chemicals.

Determine the source of moisture which allows decay to occur, and eliminate it ifpracticable. Replace structurally weakened wood° with sound untreated wood wherethe source of moisture can be eliminated. or with preservative-treated wood where it isin ground contact or where moisture cannot be eliminated (see Appendix for the ap-propriate treatment to use). Where slight decay has occurred in frames, doors,wooden steps, wood columns, access doors. etc. brush with a wood preserva-tive/water repellent solution to reduce the rate of decay (do not apply to painted sur-faces). Decay is commonly associated with rain splash against wood close to theground due to an absence of gutters and downspouts, and lack of proper clearancebetween untreated wood and the ground.

g. planters

h. other

q q q

q q q

Str

ucturally weakened wood is defined as wood which, because of decay or insect attack, is no longer ableto

Perform the job for which it was designed. The definition can be applied to a single member or group ofmembaws.

3 Evidence of decay is described on pages 8 thru 15.

Identify the type of insect from the type of damage present, for example termite tubesinsect exit holes, sawdust, pellets, etc., and recommend the correct control procedureThis may require the assistance of an extension entomologist at a land grant universihor a reputable pest control company. All structurally weakened wood' should be re-placed as a part of the control procedures.

Provide an access door to the crawl space. Use preservative-treated wood for framingnear grade. Note inaccessible areas under the house in any inspection report.

Install at least four ventilators in the crawl space to give cross ventilation with a net freearea of at least 1/1500th the area of the crawl space. If no soil cover is present ventila-tion should be 1/150th the area of the crawl space. Place vents near corners to avoiddead air pockets in the crawl space.I

Nj.A.2

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q q q

q q

q q q

Yes No

16. There is evidence of insectattack' close to the grade ina. wood siding q [11

b. doors, door frames and q qsills

c. wooden steps q q

d.. wood columns q q

e. crawl space access doors q q

f. fence posts, arches, or q qother non-structuralitems attached to thehouse

g. meter boxes

h. planters

bathroom inspectiondoors

j. other

17. There is no access door tothe crawl space

18. There is not adequate crossventilation in the crawlspace

q q

q q q

19. Ventilators are closed in thesummer

q q q Open ventilators which are closed in the summer.

' Evidence of insect attack is described on pages 16 thru 40.

In the crawl space Yes No NIA!

q q

q q

0

q q

q q

20. Tree stumps, untreatedwood form boards andgrade stakes, wood debris,paper products, and plantshave been left in the crawlspace and under suspendedslab porches

21. Untreated wood blocks sup-port ducts or pipes on theground

22. There is evidence of stand-ing water in the crawl space,particularly where the gradeinside the crawl space isbelow the outside grade

23. There is no soil cover on thesoil (not critical in aridregions)

24. Clothes dryer vents and airconditioning condensatelines discharge moistureinside the crawl space

25. There is condensation onbeams, joists, sills, andsubfloor

Remove tree stumps, untreated wood form boards and grade stakes, wood debris,paper products and plants, otherwise they may provide an entry point for fungi andinsects

. Treat stumps which are difficult to remove with termite control chemicals wheresubterranean termites are a hazard.

Replace untreated wood blocks with pressure-treated wood blocks or an alternativeresistant material.

Determine the source of the moisture. If it is due to a plumbing leak, repair the leak.If it is condensate from an air conditioning condensate line, or clothes dryer vent, dis-charge the condensate outside the crawl space. If it is due to faulty drainage around thehouse, correct as described in 1 and 2; or by trenching around the inside of the founda-tion walls to run excess water into a storm sewer, street, or dry well by gravity drainageor sump pump; or by waterproofing the outside foundation walls below grade and in-stalling drain tile and gravel around the footings.

Install a soil cover of 4-mil polyethylene or equivalent material over approximately 70percent of the soil in the crawl space.

Extend vents and condensate lines to discharge moisture outside the house, not in thecrawl space.

Determine the source of moisture. If it is due to poor ventilation improve the ventilation

as described in 18. If it is due to the absence of a soil cover, install a cover as describedIn 23. If it is due to standing water in the crawl space, correct as described in 22.

Yes No 11L.Az

26. There are leaks under thea. kitchen q q q

b. bathrooms q q q

c. utility rooms q q q

d. other q CI q

27. The foundation walls are q qwet

Repair leaks in plumbing and replace caulking and/or grout in showers and aroundsinks and tubs.

Control excess moisture by improving drainage around the house as described in 1and 2: or by trenching around the inside of the foundation walls to run excess waterinto a storm sewer, street, or dry well by gravity drainage or sump pump: or by water-proofing the foundation walls below grade and installing drain tile and gravel at thefootings to discharge water into a storm sewer, street, dry well, or other area where itwill not run under a house.


See Appendix 1 for examples of acceptable quality marks for foundation material andtheir applicability. Replace improperly treated or untreated wood with pressure-treatedwood or an alternative resistant material.

28. Termite tubes are present ona. the foundation walls

b. termite shields, pouredconcrete caps, or pres-sure-treated wood sills

c. plumbing

d. piers

e. around fireplace founda-tions

f. other

29. Wood foundation walls andpiers are not pressure-treated, or not stamped witha quality mark for founda-tion use

q q

30. There is evidence of decay3in wood foundation wallsand piers

31. There is evidence of insectattacks in wood foundationwalls and piers

q q

q CI q

Replace all decayed material with pressure-treated wood (see Appendix 1 for theappropriate treatment to use). or an alternative resistant material.

Control insect attack as described in 16.

O E

q q

CI q

q q

32. For wood beamsa. untreated beams are less

than 12 inches aboveinside grade

b. there are mold or stainfungi on the wood and/orits moisture content ismore than 20 percent

c. there is evidence of de-cay3 after visual inspec-tion, probing, and sound-ing

d.. there is evidence of insectattacks after visualinspection, probing, andsounding

33. For sills, headers, joists, andsubfloor (particularly inpoorly ventilated areas,damp crawl spaces, andareas where the wood is ad-jacent to porches, patios,and carports)a. untreated sills and joists

are less than 18 inchesabove inside grade

b. there are mold and stainfungi on the wood and/orits moisture content ismore than 20 percent

c. there is evidence of de-cay3 after visual inspec-tion, probing, and sound-ing

d. there is evidence of insectattack'' after visual in-spection, probing, andsounding

a) Remove soil in the crawl space to provide a minimum clearance of 12 inches be-ween beams and the soil. If this creates a water drainage problem, correct as describedin 22.

b) Determine the source of moisture and eliminate it if practicable. If it is due to con-densation, correct as described in 26. If it is due to a plumbing leak, repair the leak. If itis due to water seepage through the foundation, correct as described in 28. Replacestructurally weakened wood" with sound untreated wood. If the source of moisture isnot eliminated, then replace all wood with a moisture content greater than 20 percentwith preservative-treated wood (see Appendix 1 for appropriate treatments to use).

c) Determine the source of moisture allowing decay to occur and eliminate as de-scribed in 32b. If there is extensive decay away from an obvious source of moisture, andno evidence of condensation having occurred on the beams. suspect the water con-ducting fungi Poria incrassata or Merulius lacrymans. If either of these is present, greatcare must be taken to find and eliminate the source of the fungus.

d) Control insect attack as described in 16.

a) Remove soil in the crawl space to provide a minimum clearance of 18 inches be-tween the sills and joists and the soil. If this creates a water drainage problem. correctas described in 22.

b) Correct as described in 32b.

c) Determine the source of moisture allowing decay to occur and eliminate as de-scribed in 32b. If there is extensive decay away from an obvious source of moisture, andno evidence of condensation having occurred on the sills. joists, etc., suspect the water-co

nducting fungi Poria incrassata or Merulius lacrymans. If either of these is present,great care must be taken to find and eliminate the source of the fungus.d) Control insect attack as described in 16.

Around the Foundations Basement Construction(including basement areas in full basement,half basement, and split level and split foyerhouses with rooms below grade).

Checklist'

Outside

1.Surface water drainstowards the house, notaway from it

Yes No N/A2.

q q

2. Rain water from the roof q q qdrains under the house

3. Walkway, patio, and porch q q qslabs slope towards thehouse, not away from it

4. Form boards, grade stakes, q q q

wood debris, and paperproducts have been leftaround the house

5. Firewood and lumber piles q q

are less than 6 inches awayfrom the house

Alter surface drainage so that water runs away from the building by regrading the lot;by building a retaining wall or swale: or by installing drain tile and/or gravel to interceptwater before it reaches the house.

BEFORE AFTER

REGRADE SWALE RETAINING DRAIN TILE/WALL GRAVEL

Drain rain water away from the house with gutters, downspouts and splashblocks: byregrading: or by attaching draintile to downspouts to deposit the water in a storm sewer,dry well, or other location where it will not run under a house.

Change the slope of the slab to direct water away from the house. If this is not prac-ticable, caulk all cracks between the slab and the wall of the house to prevent waterseepage under the house.

Remove untreated wood form boards and grade stakes, wood debris, and paperp

roducts. Otherwise, they may provide an entry point for fungi and insects.


If the answer to any of these questions is yes. it should be recommended that the problem be corrected as

described in the "Corrective Procedures- section, except that a corrective procedure designed to prevent

future decay or insect attack should only be recommended in an existing house when there is good reason

to believe that such problems will occur if corrective steps are not taken. For example, if framing in a 10-


Year-old house is only 4 inches above outside grade, but free of fungus or insect attack, it is not necessaryto recommend regrading.

2

N/A knot applicable

IYes No N/A.q q E11

q q q

q q

q Ell q

111 111

111 q q






See Appendix for examples of acceptable quality marks for pressure-treated lumber,and their applicability. Replace improperly treated or untreated wood in contact with

the soil with pressure-treated wood or an alternative resistant material.

See Appendix for wood items which should be pressure treated or naturally resistant.Replace untreated wood if practicable. Alternatively brush it with a wood preserva-tive/water repellent solution to reduce the risk of decay (do not apply to paintedsurfaces).

Lower grade so that soil is 6 inches below wood siding. but prevent rain water fromdraining under the house.

Try to determine if problem is caused by excessive moisture, poor maintenance, orimproper use of materials (for example, application of oil-based paints on latex, or la-tex paints on oil sometimes leads to blistering or peeling of the paint). If excessivemoisture is the problem, locate the source of moisture and where possible eliminate it.for example, install vapor barriers in the walls or on the floor, vent moist air out ofbathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms; or use a dehumidifier in the summer. Loosestucco should be examined carefully for the presence of subterranean termites.

Lower grade so that soil is at least 8 inches below untreated wood framing, but pre-vent rain water from draining under the house.

SLAB

11. Untreated wood framing isless than 8 inches above soilin earth-filled porches andplanters (not critical whenseparated by flashing orpoured concrete, or whenporches or planters areseparate structures)

Remove soil under the porch slab so that soilwood framing; or pour concrete to isolate soilinstall continuous flashing or pour concrete to

BEFORE

HOUSEHOUSE INTERIOR

SOIL

is at least 8 inches below untreatedfrom wood in the house. For planters,isolate soil from wood in the house.

AFTER

INTERIOR

1

'%*9

PORCH SLAB

°

SOIL

SOIL EXCAVATED AT

WOOD/SOIL CONTACTPOINT

POURED CONCRETE AT

WOOD/SOIL CONTACT

POINThh h7

Yes No NJA

q

q q q

q

q q qq

q q q

q q q

04

q q q

12. Untreated wood framing is

less than 8 inches above soilunder carport and patioslabs

13. Untreated wood framing inthe basement is less than 8inches above soil in crawlspace areas adjacent tobasement rooms

14. Areas under suspended slabporches above grade are in-accessible for inspection

15. There are termite tubespresent on the foundationwalls (these are particularlycommon where wood sidingis close to outside grade,and there are shrubs orplants close to the wall, andin cracks in the foundationwalls)

16. There is evidence of decay";close to the grade ina. wood siding

b. doors, door frames andsills

c. wooden steps

d. wood columns

e. fence posts, arches, orother non-structuralitems attached to thehouse

f. planters

g. other

Install continuous flashing or pour concrete to separate wood framing from soil underthe carport or patio slab if there is a possibility of moisture accumulation under theslab.

Remove soil in crawl space against basement wall so that the soil is at least 8 inchesbelow untreated wood framing.

Provide inspection accesses from either the house side of the porch, or from theoutside.


Determine the source of moisture which allows decay to occur, and eliminate it ifpracticable. Replace structurally weakened wood' with sound untreated wood where

the source of moisture can be eliminated. or with preservative-treated wood where it isin ground contact or where moisture cannot be eliminated (see Appendix for the ap-propriate treatment to use). Where slight decay has occurred in frames, doors.

Wooden steps. wood columns, etc.. brush with a wood preservative/water repellentsolution to reduce the rate of decay (do not apply to painted surfaces). Decay is com-monly associated with rain splash against wood close to the ground due to an absenceof gutters and downspouts, or lack of proper clearance between untreated wood andthe ground.

3 Evidence of decay is described on pages 8 thru 15. Stru

cturally weakened wood is defined as wood which, because of decay or insect attack, is no longer ablet° Perform the job for which it was designed. The definition can be applied to a single member or group ofInernters.

q

q

q

q q q

q q q

q q q

q q q

q q q

0 q

q

q q

q

Yes No N/A2_

q q q

q

17. There is evidence of insectattack' close to the grade ina. wood siding


c. wooden steps

d. wood columns


f. meter boxes

g. planters

h. bathroom inspectiondoors

i. other

18. Outside surfaces of founda-tion walls below grade arenot waterproofed (not nec-essary in arid regions)

19. There is no drain tile con-nected to a positive outflowinstalled around the foot-ings (not necessary in aridregions)

Identify the type of insect from the type of damage present, for example termite tubes,insect exit holes, sawdust, pellets, etc., and recommend the correct control procedure.This may require the assistance of an extension entomologist at a land grant universityor a reputable pest control company. All structurally weakened wood' should be re-placed as a part of the control procedures.

Waterproof the outside of the foundation walls below grade level if there is any evi-dence of moisture problems in the basement.

Install drain tile and gravel at the footings to discharge water into a storm sewer, street,dry well, or other area where it will not run under a house, if there is any evidence ofmoisture problems in the basement.

5 Evidence of insect attack is described on pages 16 thru 40.

In the basement

Checklist'

Inside

20. Form boards and gradestakes have not been re-moved from the basementand under suspended slabporches

Yes No NL.A.2

q q

21. Untreated wood columns q qare in direct contact with or

penetrate the floor slab

22. Wood in contact with the 0 0slab is not pressure treatedor not stamped with the ap-propriate quality mark

23. Wood foundation walls are q q

not pressure treated or notstamped with a qualitymark for foundation use

24. There is evidence of waterleaks or excessive conden-sation on the basementwalls and floor

0 q 0


Remove untreated wood from boards and grade stakes. otherwise they may providean entry point for fungi and insects.

Replace improperly treated or untreated wood in contact with the slab with pressure-treated wood or an alternative resistant material. See Appendix for examples of ac-ceptable quality marks for pressure-treated lumber, and their applicability.

See Appendix for examples of acceptable quality marks for pressure-treated lumberand their applicability. Replace untreated wood in contact with foundation slabs withpressure-treated wood if practicable. Alternatively brush with a wood preservative/waterrepellent solution to reduce the risk of decay.

See Appendix for examples of acceptable quality marks for foundation material, andtheir applicability. Replace improperly treated or untreated wood with pressure-treatedwood or an alternative resistant material.

If these are caused by plumbing leaks. repair the leaks. If excessive amounts of waterare passing through the foundation walls, waterproof the outside of the foundationwalls below grade and install drain tile and gravel at the footings to discharge waterinto a storm sewer, street, dry well or other area where it will not run under a house:or improve drainage around the house as described in 1 and 2. If there is excessivecon

densation, determine and eliminate the source of moisture by, for example, install-ing a vapor barrier on top of the slab if there is not one below the slab: ventingmoisture from bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms to the outside; or using de-humidifiers in the summer.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it should be recommended that the problem be corrected as

described in the "Corrective Procedures- section, except that a corrective procedure designed to prevent


to believe that such problems will occur if corrective steps are not taken. For example. if framing in a 10-

year-old house is only 4 inches above outside grade. but free of fungus or insect attack. it is not necessary

onr-Idino

=N/A not applicable3 Evi

dence of decay is described on pages 8 thru 15.Stru

cturally weakened wood is defined as wood which, because of decay or insect attack, is no longer ablet° Perform the job for which it was designed. The definition can be applied to a single member or group ofmei/lbws.

7`

25. There is evidence of leakson the ceiling undera. kitchen q El q

b. bathrooms q q q

c. utility rooms q q q

d. other q q q

26. There is evidence of leaks inthe basement ina. kitchen q q

b. bathrooms El q

c. utility room q q CI

d. other - q q

27. Termite tubes are present ona. the foundation walls

b. termite shields, pouredconcrete caps, or pres-sure-treated wood sills

c. plumbing

d. columns

e. other

28. In unfinished basementsand accessible areas offinished basementsa. there are mold or stain

fungi on framing lumberand/or its moisturecontent is more than 20 „percent

b. there is evidence ofdecay 3 in framing lumberafter visual inspection.probing. and sounding

c. there is evidence of insectattacks after visualinspection, probing, andsounding

El

q q q

q q

q q Cl

Repair leaks in plumbing, replace caulking and/or grout in showers and around sinksand tubs.

Repair leaks in plumbing, replace caulking and/or grout in showers and around sinksand tubs.

Treat the house foundation with termite control chemicals.

a) Determine the source of moisture and eliminate it if practicable. If it is due to waterleaks through the foundation wall, or condensation, correct as described in 24. If it isdue to a plumbing leak. repair the leak. Replace structurally weakened wood .' withs

ound untreated wood where the source of moisture is eliminated. If the source ofmoisture is not eliminated, then replace all wood with a moisture content greater than20 percent with preservative-treated or naturally resistant wood (see Appendix 1 forapp

ropriate treatments).

b)D

etermine the source of moisture allowing decay to occur, and correct as describedin 28a. If there is extensive decay away from an obvious source of moisture, suspect thewater

-conducting fungi Poria incrassata or Merulius lacrymans. If either of these arepresent great care must be taken to find and eliminate the source of the fungus.

c) Correct as described in 17.

'7 /1

76

29. In finished basements thereis evidence of decay 3 ina. window and window

frames


c. wood baseboards

d. walls

e. other

Determine the source of moisture allowing decay to occur, and correct as describedin 28a. Where decay is in window and door frames check, and repair if necessary. outside caulking or glazing.

Con ect as described in 17.30. In finished basements there

is evidence of insect attack'ina. windows and window q q q

frames

b. doors, door frames and q q qsills

c. wood baseboards q q q

d. walls q q q

e. other q q q

'Evidence of insect attack is described on pages 16 thru 40.

2 N/A = not applicable


Around the Foundations –Slab-on-grade Construction

Checklist'

Outside

1. Surface water drains D 111towards the house, notaway from it

Yes No NLA.�

2. Rain water from the roofdrains under the house

3. Walkway, patio, and porchslabs slope towards thehouse, not away from it

4. Form boards, grade stakes,wood debris, and paperproducts have been leftaround the house

5. Firewood and lumber pilesare less than 6 inches awayfrom the house


q q

q q

q q

q q

El q [11

BEFORE

REGRADE

I If the answer to any of these questions is yes. it should be recommended that the problem be corrected as

described in the "Corrective Procedures'. section, except that a corrective procedure designed to prevent


to believe that such problems will occur if corrective steps are not taken. For example, if framing in a 10-


Alter surface drainage so that water runs away from the building by regrading the lot:by building a retaining wall or swale; or by installing drain tile and/or gravel to interceptwater before it reaches the house.

AFTER

SWAL E RETAINING DRAIN TILE/

WALL GRAVEL

Drain rain water away from the house with gutters, downspouts and splashblocks: byregrading; or by attaching draintile to downspouts to deposit the water in a storm sewer,dry well, or other location where it will not run under a house.

Change the slope of the slab to direct water away from the house. If this is not prac-ticable, caulk all cracks between the slab and the wall of the house to prevent waterseepage under the house.

Remove untreated wood form boards and grade stakes, wood debris, and paperproducts. Otherwise, they may provide an entry point for fungi and insects.


See Appendix (p. 100) for examples of acceptable quality marks for pressure-treatedlumber, and their applicability. Replace improperly treated or untreated wood in con-tact with the soil with pressure-treated wood or an alternative resistant material.

Y.ear-old house is only 4 inches above outside grade. but free of fungus or insect attack, it is not necessaryto reco

mmend regrading.1 N/A °not applicable

Yes No N'/Lkz

q q q

q q

q q

q q q

O q q

4





11. Untreated wood framing isless than 8 inches above soilin planters (not criticalwhen separated by flashingor poured concrete, or whenplanters are separatestructures)

12. There are termite tubespresent on the foundationslab or walls (these areparticularly common wherewood siding is close to out-side grade, and there areshrubs or plants close to thewall, and in cracks in thefoundation slab)

See Appendix for wood items which should be pressure treated or naturally resistant.Replace untreated wood if practicable. Alternatively brush it with a wood preserva-

tive/water repellent solution to reduce to risk of decay (do not apply to painted

surfaces).

Lower grade so that soil is 6 inches below wood siding. but prevent rain water fromdraining under the house.

Try to determine if problem is caused by excessive moisture, poor maintenance, orimproper use of materials (for example, application of oil-based paints on latex, or la-tex paints on oil sometimes leads to blistering or peeling of the paint). If excessivemoisture is the problem, locate the source of moisture and where possible eliminate it.For example, install vapor barriers in the walls or on the floor: vent moist air out ofbathrooms. kitchens, and utility rooms: or use a dehumidifier in the summer. Loosestucco should be examined carefully for the presence of subterranean termites.

Lower grade so that soil is at least 8 inches below untreated wood framing, but pre-vent rain water from draining under the house.

Install continuous flashing or pour concrete to isolate from wood in the house.


4«

q

q

q

q q q

q q q

0 q

q q

q q

Yes No 1■11.A.2

q q q

q q q

q q q

q q q

q q El

q q q

q q

El

q q El

q q q

13. There is evidence of decay3close to the grade ina. wood siding


c. wooden steps

d. wood columns


f. planters

g. other

14. There is evidence of insectattack' close to the grade ina. wood siding


c. wooden steps

d. wood columns


f. meter boxes

g. planters

h. bathroom inspectiondoors

other

Determine the source of moisture which allows decay to occur, and eliminate it ifpracticable. Replace structurally weakened wood 4 with sound untreated wood wherethe source of moisture can be eliminated, or with preservative-treated wood where it isin ground contact or where moisture cannot be eliminated (see Appendix for the ap-propriate treatment to use). Where slight decay has occurred in siding. frames, doors,wooden steps. wood columns, etc.. brush with a wood preservative/water repellentsolution to reduce the rate of decay (do not apply to painted surfaces). Decay is com-monly associated with rain splash against wood close to the ground due to an absenceof gutters and downspouts. or lack of proper clearance between untreated wood andthe ground.

Identify the types of insect from the type of damage present, for example termitetubes, insect exit holes, sawdust pellets, etc.. and recommend the correct controlprocedure. This may require the assistance of an extension entomologist at a landgrant university or a reputable pest control company. All structurally weakened wood'should be replaced as a part of the control procedures.

lye

In the living area

See "Inside the living area and attic," page 90. In regionswhere subterranean termites occur, a particularly carefulinspection must be made for their presence in the livingarea of slab-on-grade houses.


Structurally weakened wood is defined as wood which, because of decay or insect attack, is no longer able

to perform the job for which it was designed. The definition can be applied to a single member or group of

5Evidence of insect attack is described on pages 16 thru 40.

Outside HouseAbove Ground Level

Checklist,

Yes No NA

1. Windows are not properly q q qglazed

2. Window and door frames q q qare not properly caulked

3. Flashing is absenta. around doors and q q q

windows

b. at intersections of qdifferent materials on thewalls when exterior finishdoes not provide a self-flashing joint

c. at roof/wall intersections q q q

d. at roof/chimney inter- q q qsections

1e. at pipes and vents pro- q q qjecting through the roof

4. Shingles do not extend 3/4 q q qinch beyond, and form acontinuous drip edge at theeave and rake

1

i) at roof/wall intersections.

j) at roof/chimney intersections.

4CAULK 1111401 1. 4A0?;dir

COUNTERFLASHING110

4- SHINGLE FLASHING

WEDGE AND CAULK— "

AS°4°1—

k) at pipes and vents projecting through the roof.4"MIN.

r LAP-- - 4" MIN.

FLASHING

SHINGLES

ROOFING FELT

It the answer to any of these questions is yes. it should be recommended that the problem be corrected asdescribed in the "Corrective Procedures" section. except that a corrective procedure designed to preventfuture decay or insect attack should only be recommended in an existing house when there is good reasonto believe that such problems will occur if corrective steps are not taken. For example, if framing in a 10-

la


Glaze all areas around windows where glaze is absent.

Caulk all areas around window and door frames where caulk is absent.

Install flashinga) around doors and windows.

b) at intersections of different materials on the walls when exterior finish does not pro-vide a self-flashing joint.

2" CLEARANCEFOR SIDING

Install shingles to extend 3/4 inch beyond. and give a continuous drip edge at, the eaveand rake, or install flashing.

to recommendcooldmhmoeund eghouse ris ornaldyi4 rynginch es above outside grade. but free of fungus or insect attack. it is not necessary

2 N/A '-irinot applicable

S5

5. Gutters are not providedwhere the roof overhang isless than 12 inches in widthfor one story houses, or 24inches in width for two storyhouses

q Install gutters and downspouts where the roof overhang is less than 12 inches in widthfor one story houses, or 24 inches in width for two story houses.

q q q Repair leaks in gutter. and remove leaves and other trash.

Repair leaks in downspouts.

Install gable end, roof peak, or soffit vents as appropriate, to give a free ventilatingarea of 1 sq. ft. per 150 sq. ft. of horizontal floor area in the attic. This can bereduced to 1 sq. ft. per 300 sq. ft. if a vapor barrier is installed on the warm side ofthe ceiling, or at least 50 percent of the ventilating area is provided with fixed ventila-tors in the upper portion of the space to be ventilated, with the remainder provided byeave or cornice vents.

O q q

51I

q q

q q

q q

q q

q q

q q

SOFFIT VENTS SOFFIT VENTS SOFFIT VENTSOPTIONAL NECESSARY NECESSARY

Determine the source of moisture which allows decay to occur, and eliminate it ifpracticable. Replace structurally weakened wood' with sound untreated wood wherethe source of moisture can be eliminated. or with preservative-treated wood where itcannot be eliminated (see Appendix for the appropriate treatment to use). Where slightdecay has occurred at window and door frame joints, in wooden steps, in windowjoints and cross cut surfaces of siding and roof trim, brush with a wood preserva-tiv

e/water repellent solution to reduce the rate of decay (do not apply to painted sur-faces). Decay is commonly associated with the absence of caulking or glaze aroundWindow and door frames and windows, no flashing at roof/wall intersections, eavesand rake, or around doors and windows, and shingles not extending beyond the eaveand rake to form a continuous drip edge.

,Stru

cturally weakened wood is defined as wood which, because of decay or insect attack, is no longer able1° Perform the job for which it was designed. The definition can be applied to a single member or group ofmembers.

6. Gutters leak or are blockedby leaves or other trash

7. Downspouts leak

8. There is not adequate venti-lation in the attic

9. There is evidence of decay3ina. wood siding

b. windows and windowframes

c. doors, door frames, andsills

d. wooden steps

e. roof trim — gables,eaves, soffits, fascia

f. other


:10

0,

q

q q

q q

q q q

q q qq q q

q q q

10. There is evidence of insectattack' ina. wood siding

b. windows and windowframes

c. doors, door frames, andsills

d. wooden steps

e. roof trim — gables,eaves, soffits, fascia

f. other

identify the type of insect from the type of damage present, for example, termite tubes,i nsect exit holes, sawdust. pellets, etc.. and recommend the correct control procedure.This may require the assistance of an extension entomologist from a land grant univer-sity or a reputable pest control company. All structurally weakened wood' should bereplaced as a part of the control procedures.

'• •

5 Evidence of insect attack is described on pages 16 thin 40.

00

Inside the Living Area & Attic

Checklist' Corrective Procedures

Yes No N/A'

1. There is evidence of waterleaks ina. kitchen q q q

Repair leaks in plumbing. replace caulking and/or grout in showers and around sinksand tubs.

b. bathrooms q q q

c. utility room q q q

d. other __ q q q

2. There is evidence of waterstains, mildew, or moldgrowth ona. walls

b. ceilings

q q

q q 0

Determine the source of moisture. If this is a plumbing or roof leak, repair the plumbingor roof. If this is excess moisture in the building eliminate it by, for example, ventingmoisture in bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms to the outside: improving ventilation,drainage, or installing moisture barriers in the crawl space; or using dehumidifiers in thesummer. If vapor barriers on insulation in the walls and ceiling are absent, or placedtowards the outside of the house, reverse the position of the vapor barrier where prac-ticable, or apply an aluminum paint on the living area side of walls. In areas of thecountry with severe winters water leakage into walls and interiors of houses is some-times caused by ice dams. If this is the source of moisture, improve ventilation andinsulation in the attic.

3. The floor sags or is buckled q q q Determine the cause of the problem. In crawl space houses if there are insufficientsupports under the floor, install more supports. If there is decay or insect attack in thesubfloor, correct as described in 16 and 32b in "Inspection of existing homes: aroundthe foundations — crawl space construction, - page 50 through 57. If buckling is due towater leaks, eliminate the leaks. Replace all structurally weakened wood' and de-la

minated plywood.

I f gaps are due to drying of wood. caulk gaps if desired. If they are due to settlement ofthe floor in crawl space houses, correct as described in 3.

4. There are gaps between the q q

floor and baseboards

If the answer to any of these questions is yes. it should be recommended that the problem be corrected as

described in the "Corrective Procedures- section. except that a corrective procedure designed to prevent


to believe that such problems will occur if corrective steps are not taken. For example, if framing in a 10.

&'ear•old house is only it inches above outside grade, but tree of fungus or insect attack, it is not necessaryto recommend regrading.

2

Apt applicable

q

0

0

Idei, tify the type of insect from the type of damage present, for example, termite tubes.

insect exit holes, sawdust. pellets. etc., and recommend the correct control procedure.This may require the assistance of an extension entomologist from a land grant univer-sity or a reputable pest control company. All structurally weakened wood y should bereplaced as a part of the control procedure.

Provide an access door to the attic. Note inaccessible areas in the attic in the inspectioneport.

Evidence of insect attack is described on pages 16 thru 40.

Yes No Na.2

1

Determine and eliminate the source of moisture which allows decay to occur. Replacestructurally weakened wood'' with sound untreated wood. Decay is commonly asso-ciated with the absence of caulking or glaze around window and door frames andwindows, or plumbing leaks. If there is extensive decay away from an obvious source ofmoisture, suspect the water-conducting fungi Poria incrassata or Merulius lacrymans. Ifeither of these are present, great care must be taken to find and eliminate the sourceof the fungus.

5. There is evidence of decay3ina. windows and window

frames

b. doors, door frames, andsills

c. wood baseboards

d. wood flooring

e. walls

f. other

0

q

a

q q

ID q

6. There is evidence of insectattacks ina. windows and window q q 0

frames

b. doors, door frames, and q q 0sills

c. wood baseboards

d. wood flooring

e. walls

f. other

7. There is no access door to q q q

attic


4 Structurally weakened wood is defined as wood which, because of decay or insect attack, is no longer ableto perform the job for which it was designed. The definition can be applied to a single member or group of Ili

members.

8. There is evidence of rainseepage or decay' in theattica. sheathing (particularly

around vent pipes andTV antennas)

b. rafters

c. joists

d. wall top plates

e. other

Yes No NA

q q q

q q q

q q q

q q q

q

Determine and eliminate the source of moisture. Replace structurally weakened wood4with sound untreated wood. Rain seepage or decay is commonly associated with leaksaround vent pipes and TV antennas or through broken shingles. Decay may be dueto excessive moisture in the building. This can be eliminated as described in 2. In areasof the country with severe winters, water leakage is sometimes caused by ice dams. Ifthis is the source of moisture, improve ventilation and insulation in the attic.

9. There is evidence of insectattacks in the attica. sheathing (particularly

around vent pipes andTV antennas)

q

Correct as described in 6.

q

b. rafters

c. joists

d. wall top plates

e. other

10. The vapor barrier on insu-lation is on the side of theinsulation towards the out-side of the house, not theliving area

Reverse the vapor barrier if it is placed towards the outside of the house, not the livingarea. If this is not practicable apply an aluminum paint on the living area side of wallswhere the vapor barrier is incorrectly applied (in the Gulf Coast area it is advisable toomit all vapor barriers in the walls and ceiling).

q q

q q

q q

ill q

q q

Yes NoActive Inactive

1. Mold and stain fungi q q q

2. Decay fungi (brown and white rot) q q q

3. Water-conducting fungi q q q

4. Subterranean termites q q q

5. Formosan subterranean termites q q q

6. Drywood termites q q q

7. Dampwood termites q q q8. Old house borers q q q9. Anobiid beetles q q q

10. Lyctid powderpost beetles q q q11. Bostrichid powderpost beetles q q q12. Carpenter ants q q q13. Other q q q

97

Inspection Report forWood-inhabiting Fungi and Insects

Wood-inhabiting OrganismsReport–Existing Homes

An essential part of the inspectionprocedure is accurate reporting ofthe results of the examination, anddevelopment of recommendationsfor prevention or control of fungusand of insect problems. Inspectionreports should be simple to com-plete, but at the same time mustpresent to the homeowner andbuyer an accurate picture of existingand potential problems. The reportshould include a diagram of thestructure, showing damaged areas,inaccessible and uninspected areas,and areas where damage is likely tooccur if no corrective measures aretaken.

The report for existing housesis based on the "Standard StructuralPest Control Inspection Report(Wood-Destroying Pests or Organ-isms)" developed by the CaliforniaStructural Pest Control Board, FHAForm No. 2053, and a "Wood-Destroying Organism Report" underconsideration by the Oregon Depart-ment of Veterans' Affairs.

In addition to containing theresults of inspection, the reportshould list recommended correctiveprocedures which will either controlor prevent decay and insect attack.However, in recommending correc-tive procedures it must be stressedagain that the objective of anyrecommendation should be to savethe homeowner money by controll-ing or preventing decay and insectattack. In existing houses, correctiveprocedures designed to preventfuture problems should be recom-mended only when there is goodreason to believe that such problemswill occur if corrective steps are nottaken. For example, if a 10-year-oldhouse has only a 6-inch roof over-hang, but there is no evidence ofdecay or insect attack in woodsiding, window frames, roof trim,etc.. it is not necessary to recom-mend installation of gutters. al-though they should be present ingood construction. When correctiveprocedures are recommended, careshould be taken to ensure that theleast expensive procedures aregiven. For example, if a door isheavily infested with lyctid powder-post beetles, replacement of thedoor, rather than fumigation of thehouse, should be recommended.

A. Wood-inhabiting organisms

Property Address

Inspection requested by

Inspector Date of Inspection

Inspector's Address _

Case Number Age of House

Inspection Findings (explain in detail below)

96

CI

q

NA1

0

q

B. Conditions favoring wood-inhabiting organismsYes No

1. Faulty grade

2. Untreated wood-earth contact

3. Improperly sealed earth-filled porch orplanter

4. Wood debris—form boards, grade stakes,stumps, etc. around foundation

5. Water leaks (plumbing, shower, etc.)

6. Excessive moisture conditions

7. In crawl space constructiona. no soil coverb. insufficient ventilation

8. Insufficient attic ventilation

9. Blocked or leaking gutters and downspouts

10. Inaccessible or uninspected areas2

11. OtherNA = not applicable.

2 Explain in comments and recommendations section.

Comments and recommendations

House Diagram

Explanation of symbols

A - Anobiid beetlesB = Bostrichid powderpost beetlesC = Carpenter antsD — Decay fungiF = Formosan subterranean termitesH = Old house borerK = Drywood termitesL = Lyctid powderpost beetlesM Mold and stain0 = Other (specify)

- Subterranean termitesW Water-conducting fungiZ Dampwood termites

BLG =EC =

EMEP =

EV =FG =IAOTPV -

WDWL

Blocked or leaking gutter, downspoUntreated wood/earth contactExcessive moistureImproperly sealed earth-filled porcior planterExisting ventsFaulty gradeInaccessible or uninspected areaOther (specify)Proposed ventsWood debris, form boards, etc.Water leaks

41,

AcknowledgementsThe author would like to express his appreciation toall those who have assisted in the preparation ofthis guide. Dr. H. Moore. North Carolina StateUniversity. Raleigh. N.C.. provided invaluable helpin preparing the portions of this guide concernedwith insects and inspection techniques. Dr. J.LaFage. Louisiana State University: Mr. F Whitfieldand Mr. R. DeBruhl. North Carolina State Univer-sity; the staff of the Southern Forest ExperimentStation. Gulfport. Mississippi. particularly Dr. TAmburgey and L. Williams: Dr. T Scheffer and R.Graham. Oregon State University; and Dr. A.Verrall, Gulfport, Mississippi. offered many usefulsuggestions in reviewing drafts of the guide. Dr. W.Ebeling. UCLA; Wesley Lydell. Guaranteed PestControl Service. Salem. Oregon: Dr. D. Nicholas.Honolulu Wood Treating Company. Honolulu.Hawaii; and G. Masaki. Xtermco, Honolulu. Hawaii,each spent several hours demonstrating the bio-deterioration and construction problems in theirrespective regions. Southern Forest ExperimentStation. National Pest Control Association. Orkin.Terminix. and Velsicol Chemical Corporationprovided some of the illustrations used in the guide.Building inspectors, extension entomologists, andpest control operators in all parts of the countryresponded to questionnaires which provided muchof the information on geographic distribution oforganisms and the parts of the house they attack.Finally, thanks are due Southern Forest ExperimentStation for supervising production and printing ofthis guide.

104

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