A home inspector is a trained individual that should be able to identify when there is a defect in a person’s home, especially if the defect is a termite infestation. Unfortunately, some home inspectors may negligently perform an inspection or intentionally withhold information regarding termite damage. This can result in serious damage to your home and significant amounts of money used to correct a termite issue. If a home inspector failed to identify termites in your home, you should consult with an experienced termite damage lawyer.
At Whitney, LLP, our home inspection lawyers can help you file a claim against an inspection company that withheld a material defect. Dealing with the effects of termite damage is a stressful process, but we are here to stand with you. To schedule a consultation, call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000, or contact us online.
Signs of Termites an Inspector Should Search For
There are various signs that a home may be infested with termites. An inspector should have knowledge of all the signs of termites and how to identify them. However, some inspectors may provide a homebuyer with an erroneous termite report for their own benefit. The following is a list of termite signs that you should have your property investigated for.
Noise Coming from the Walls
Termites consume most types of wood and usually exist in large colonies. They also make an audible noise when they are consuming wood. If your home is infested with termites, you may have heard clicking noises coming from the walls. This is evidence that the wood in a certain part of your home is infested.
Discarded Wings and Excrement
Another common sign that you may have termites is if you discover small piles of discarded wings around your home. Termites grow and shed wings as they advance through life cycles and typically discard their wings when they are ready to reproduce. Additionally, if you have spotted flying termites swarming in certain areas of your home, this may be a sign of a serious infestation. Some inspectors may fail to discover an infestation because they mistook a flying termite for an ant.
Termite droppings, also known as frass, are small brown pellets that are usually located near the area that termites are infesting. A well-trained inspector will be able to identify termite droppings.
Hollow Sounding Wood
Termites typically burrow into the wood to consume it from the inside out. This can make it difficult to detect termites at first. However, there are ways that an inspector could test wood to check whether it is infested. For example, inspectors may use a mallet to hammer an area of wood to see if it sounds hollow.
This is not an exhaustive list. There are other signs of termite infestation that your inspection company should be able to detect. To learn more about common signs of termite damage, you should speak with an experienced ermite infestation attorney.
What to Do if Your Inspector Did Not Disclose a Termite Infestation
If the inspection company you hired did not disclose the presence of a termite infestation on your property, they might have an agenda for withholding information. There are various types of termite scams that honest homebuyers have been a victim to. For example, if the inspector also runs a termite extermination business, they may withhold information to offer their services at a later date.
If you believe your inspector did not detect a termite infestation intentionally or did not perform adequate steps to locate an infestation, you should take the following steps. Consider getting a second or third opinion from other certified home inspectors. If their investigation proves that your home has a termite problem, you should ask for a written report of their findings to save as evidence.
Next, you should preserve any evidence of termite damage that you find. For example, if there are portions of wood with visible termite damage, you should hold on to it. Additionally, be sure to photograph any areas of the home with termite damage before you begin to repair the damage.
If you signed a contract with an inspection company, you should bring it to an experienced attorney to be examined. These contracts sometimes contain restrictive clauses that attempt to limit the inspector’s liability for failing to find a termite issue. An experienced attorney can help you determine a proper course of action after reviewing the contract.
Our Termite Inspection Attorneys Can Help in Baltimore
If a termite inspector deceived you or a family member, you should contact an experienced termite inspection lawyer today. The dedicated attorneys at Whitney, LLP possess an extensive amount of experience dealing with various types of termite inspection claims. We can provide you with the unique legal representation that you deserve to deal with your case. To schedule a consultation, call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000, or contact us online.