Testing bathtub overflows

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jmichalski

I give up....why does the termite guy test shower pans and tub overflows?

The termite guy won't.

And that presents an interesting quandary for me here in San Diego. We commonly refer to them as the termite guy, but I discovered about a year ago that there is a significant difference between a termite company and a pest control company. The termite company is only looking for termites; they care not one iota about any other wood-destroying pests and organisms. We have one company here that I'm quite familiar with called (the name has been changed since this is outside the Members Only Area) ABC Termite Company. They are very, very inexpensive, far less expensive than their competition. And that's because they are a termite company. That's all they are looking for.

Most of the companies here are ABC Pest Control Services or something like that, but there are quite a few Termite Company's here, too. And one has to really be careful about that industry and reading their professional services contracts.

While I don't specifically ask about the termite/pest control report on the properties I inspect, if I find out that it is a Termite Company, I warn my Clients about what they do and don't do and advise them to pay close attention to their "termite report" and compare it to our findings relating to wood-destroying pests and organisms.

Another interesting thing which relates to me here in San Diego is that very, very few of the Termite companies and Pest Control companies inspect fences. So we did an inspection a couple of years ago where the fence ran about three feet from the house on both sides. The whole fence around the property was actively infested with termites. I pointed it out to my Clients and told them that most termite/pest control companies don't inspect fences so to pay particular attention to their t/pc report since there was evidence of WDI infestation in the house as well. If they tented the house but did nothing about the fences, the infestation would simply manifest itself again within possibly a couple of weeks, but certainly the next time the critters swarm.

I've helped many a Client understand their "Termite" reports and get appropriate adjustments from the sellers because some WDI thing showed up on my HI report that wasn't on the "Termite" report.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by Jay Moge

RUUUUUUUUUSSSSS.....please educate all us with bloody scalps from scratching our heads on this one.

Sorry about the delay.

Along with inspections yesterday, I took the afternoon off and went to see the panda and giraffe babies at the Zoo with 67 attorneys and their spouses, as well as going out to eat with them last night at our usual weekly supper. 51 attorneys went out to eat, the most we've ever had at supper. We had the whole bar area at On The Border and margaritas were flowing all around.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by Jay Moge

what of tub drains and shower pans. they could be in no relation (water flow and gravity considerd) to said penatration. like if the penetration is in the north corner of the slab, and the tub is in the 3rd floor of the south side of the house. i just don't see the relation to WDIs. or any "pest" realy......

Most houses here are made from wood. Wood-destroying pests and organisms like wood, especially when it is wet.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jmichalski

If its all about moisture, do they check the roof and gutters, too?

Yes, they do.

[Jason A. Sieg, CMI]

Thanks for the enlightenment Russel.

Pest Control -vs- Termite Inspection
Have fences inspected as well durring a pest control inspection.

Very good info.

[Jay Moge]

yeah Russ, thanx

[teamplayer]

I always hear about the pest co testing shower pans etc. But in over 1500 inspections, I have yet to see a pest co here test a shower pan or bathtub drain. It must not be standard practice everywhere. I however, do test shower pans but not overflow drains. If I can see it and it appears damaged, I will check it, but most tubs drains are not visible. I do always look at the sinks that have overflow drains for damage and check them if suspicious. Many sinks do not even have an overflow drain.

[Russel Ray]

In my 4½ years, I've probably only seen the pest control company at the inspection a grand total of maybe 5 times.

Pest control here is done by the seller, so that is done very, very early in the process, most times even before listing the property.