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Do You Really Need a Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDIR)?

If you’re looking to buy a home, you wouldn’t think of signing on the dotted line without having a home inspection done first. Does a home inspection cover pests and the damage they could have already done? It does not. We’ve put together the information you need to know about what these inspections are, what they cover, and why you need one.

What Is a WDIR?

A Wood Destroying Insect Report, or a WDIR, is just what it sounds like. It’s a report that shows the following:house with for sale sign

  • Is there structural damage due to current or past infestations?
  • What type of insect is causing the infestation?
  • Does the house have a current infestation?
  • Has the house had an infestation in the past?
  • Has the home been treated in the past for infestations?

But it’s more than that. It’s actually a legal document created by a professional pest inspector. Some mortgage companies will require them prior to issuing the mortgage, but the buyer can also request to have one done. Knowing the answers to those questions above can bring you some serious peace of mind.

In addition to peace of mind, it is not very expensive to have done. Termite damage can be extremely expensive. So that small upfront cost can save you down the road. You will also save the time you would have spent on the long process of buying a home just to find out at the end that there’s damage you don’t want to deal with. Have it done early and move on to another home quickly. Or it can help make your decision easier when you find out there’s no damage. It’s just one more thing checked off your list.

Why Have a WDIR Done?

There are plenty of insects that can destroy wood out there, but by far the most important one to find out about is termites. They are pretty small, but they can do a pretty large amount of damage. They actually do billions of dollars worth of destruction to properties throughout just the United States. Unfortunately, they eat wood from the inside out, so the damage can go unnoticed by the naked, untrained eye until it has gotten very costly and/or caused structural damage. Often, you will only see them when they swarm – which means there are so many of them, they need to break off to create another colony. It’s no wonder approximately 600,000 homes are damaged by termites in the US each year and about $6 billion are spent annually by US residents to control termites and repair the damage they cause.

termite damage identified by a WDIROften, your homeowner’s insurance won’t pay for the removal of termites or the damage they caused since it’s preventable with a professional pest company and regular service and treatment. The cost of that damage can vary greatly. It will depend on many things including how long the colony has been there, where the damage is done, and just how much wood they have chewed through. There have been rare cases where a home had to be demolished because of extensive termite damage.

Nobody wants to take on the cost of damage from wood-destroying insects – certainly not the cost that can come from termite damage. Having a professional WDIR done can help make sure you aren’t. It’s an inexpensive way to save a lot of money in the future. There’s no need to guess when you require a WDIR along with a home inspection. Don’t believe anyone if they tell you it’s the same thing – they aren’t. Rest assured that your new home is free of wood-destroying insects.

Get rid of bugs fast.

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