WSPCA
Structural
Rigney Home Inspections
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WOOD DESTROYING
ORGANISM INSPECTION STANDARDS of the
A COMPLETE WOOD
DESTROYING ORGANISM (WDO) INSPECTION REPORT:
This
report is prepared from an inspection conducted by a Washington State
Department of Agriculture licensed Structural
II INSPECTION
PROCEDURES: The inspector shall make a thorough inspection, using
accepted methods and practices, of the subject structure to render an opinion
on the presence of or damage from WDOs as well as conditions conducive to such
WDOs.
AREAS
INSPECTED: Shall include
structural exterior (accessible both visibly and physically to an inspector at
ground level); accessible structure interior; accessible sub structural crawl
space(s); garages, carports, and decks which are attached to the structure.
Deck inspection shall include; railings, wooden steps, and accessible wooden
surface materials, as well as, deck substructures which are accessible (those
with at least a 5’ soil to joist clearance or elevated decks which can be
suitably reached using a 6’ step ladder).
WOOD DESTROYING
ORGANISMS: Shall
include: subterranean termites, dampwood termites, carpenter ants, moisture
ants, wood boring beetles of the family Anobiidae, and wood decay fungus (rot).
The inspector will not assume any responsibility for WDOs that were not
detected during their dormant season. When evidence of moisture ants, dampwood
termites, wood infesting anobiids, or wood decay fungi is detected during a
complete WDO inspection, the inspector must identify and report the
condition(s) conducive to such infestations. It must be stated in the report
that such infestations may be eliminated by removal of all infested wood and
correction of any contributing conducive conditions.
CONDUCIVE
CONDITIONS: As determined by the inspector, shall
include, but not limited to: inadequate clearance, earth to wood contact,
conducive debris in the crawl space, inadequate ventilation, excessive
moisture, vegetation contact with the structure, bare ground in the crawl
space, existing or seasonal standing water in the crawl space, failed caulking
or grout in water splash areas, and/or restricted or non-functioning gutter
systems.
III LIMITATIONS
OF INSPECTIONS:
The Inspecting
firm shall not he held responsible by any party for any condition or
consequence of WDOs, which is beyond the scope of this inspection. The scope,
defined in section II. INSPECTION PROCEDURES is limited as follows;
(a) INACCESSIBLE AREAS:
Certain areas of a structure, which are inaccessible by their nature, may be
subject to infestation by WDOs yet cannot be inspected without excavation or
unless physical obstructions are removed. Such areas include, but are not
limited to: wall voids, spaces between floors; substructures concealed by
sub-floor insulation or those with inadequate clearance; floors beneath
coverings; sleeper floors; areas concealed by furniture, appliances, and/or
personal possessions; and deck substructures with less than 5 ‘ clearance.
(b) ROOF
SYSTEMS AND ATTIC AREAS:
Roof systems, roof covering, and attic areas are excluded from this report.
This report may note, at the discretion of the inspector, visual evidence of
infestation and/or infections of WDOs in the portions of the eaves that are
visible and accessible from the ground. No opinion is rendered nor guarantee
implied concerning the watertight integrity, the condition, or future life of
the roof system. Any comment(s) made regarding an obvious condition of (a)
component(s) of the roof system or attic space(s) shall not imply an extension
to the scope of this inspection. If a more qualified opinion is desired, the
services of a licensed roof system professional should be obtained.
(c) SHEDS AND OUTBUILDINGS: Sheds, garages, carports decks, or other structures, which
are not attached to the main structure by roof system or foundation, are
excluded from this report unless specifically requested and noted. The
inspecting firm reserves the right to charge additionally to inspect any unattached
structures.
(d) CLIMATIC LIMITATIONS:
In certain geographical areas of
(e) MOLD: Molds, mildews, and other fungal growth
(except wood decay fungi) shall be reported on only to the extent that they
indicate an excessive moisture condition which may be conducive to WDOs. The
inspector is not liable or responsible for determining the type of mold,
mildew, or other fungi present, nor shall the inspector be liable or
responsible for determining the possible health hazards associated with the
presence of molds, mildews, or other fungi. This report is not, nor shall the
inspector perform a mold inspection or investigation. If a more qualified
opinion is desired, the services of a toxicologist or certified industrial
hygienist should be obtained.
(f) STRUCTURAL
ASSESSMENT: While it may
be possible for the inspector to note damaged materials, neither the inspector
nor the inspection firm is liable or responsible in any way to determine the
structural integrity of any building materials. If a more qualified opinion is
desired, the services of a licensed, qualified contractor or structural
engineer should be obtained.
(g) REMAINING EVIDENCE: In certain situations, it may not be
practical to eliminate all evidence of previous WDO activity (e.g., carpenter
ant frass, insect parts, or subterranean termite scaling), or evidence of conducive conditions, (e.g. water staining). Although noted,
this evidence may remain after corrections have been made or if it is the
inspector’s opinion that evidence is from inactive WDOs and no corrections are
recommended. Neither the inspector nor the inspecting firm shall be liable or
responsible for any corrective action required by future inspections in regards
to this remaining evidence.
IV. REPORTS: The inspecting firm shall not issue any
complete wood destroying organism inspection report unless a Washington State
Department of Agriculture licensed structural pest inspector from that firm has
made a careful and thorough inspection of the structure in conformance with and
subject to the limitations within these standards. Reports shall include a
diagram and a description of the findings to help identify locations of the
findings as well as inaccessible areas not identified in III (a) of these
standards.
V. WORK
RECOMMENDATIONS AND TREATMENTS
(a) NO WARRANTIES OF CORRECTIVE WORK: Neither the inspector nor the inspecting firm will evaluate
or warrant the quality of workmanship, the compliance with any applicable
building codes, nor the suitability for use of any repairs, corrections, or
treatments recommended within this report. Compliance with
(b) CONDITIONS REVEALED DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF RECOMMENDATIONS: Should any WDO, damage. or conducive
condition be revealed during the performance of any recommendations, whether
performed by the owner, the purchaser, a contractor, or any other party in
interest, the inspecting firm must be notified of such, and be given a
reasonable opportunity for re-inspecting and determining the need for any
additional corrective measures before such conditions are covered. The owner,
the purchaser, or any other person performing the work shall be responsible for
notifying the inspector. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the inspecting
firm from assessing additional charges for each additional inspection.
NOTE: The Washington State Pest Control Association
(WSPCA), as a service to inspection firms, has developed this form and these
Standards of Practice. By doing so, the WSPCA does not certify that the
Inspecting firm is a member of the WSPCA or that the inspector is qualified to
perform the inspection. The WSPCA shall not be a party to any claim or action
by the buyer, seller, or other interested party against the Inspections firm
solely by reason of making this report form and these Standards of Practice
available for use. Rev:
12/03 WSPCA © 2003
Rigney
Pest Control Since 1977
Olympia: 360 456–4000
Fax:
Toll-Free (866) 658-0160
To order a structural pest inspection
call or click here: Inspection Request Form