What exactly is a WDI?

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You might have them and not even know it…

 

A wood-destroying insect, or WDI, such as termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and various beetles like the wharf borer, can cause major damage to the wooden components and structure of your home.

 

Because they are hidden behind walls or beneath floors, these insects can go undetected for years leaving your home in unsafe conditions. Anywhere the wooden structures of your home touch soil is a possible access point for termites and other WDIs.

 

If you see the presence of termites in window sills or other areas inside your house, it is most likely already infested.

 

The outside of your home can also leave tell-tale signs of WDI infestation; Check areas like porches, sidewalks, patios, and areas near windows and door frames. If you notice damage or decay on wood features, a wood-destroying insect could be to blame. Pay extra close attention to the wooden parts of areas that are touching the soil such as fences or stairway railings as these are the perfect gateway to the core structure of your home.

 

The best way to find out whether or not your home has fallen victim to the appetites of WDIs is to get yourself a WDI inspection. This service includes a close look at both the outside and insides of your homes to determine what insect, if any, is affecting your home, what damage they have caused, and what you can do to prevent future infestations.

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Who needs a WDI Inspection?

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It can be difficult to figure out just whether or not you need a WDI or wood-destroying insect inspection on your home. After all, you can’t very well see through the walls in your home to know if it’s been infested or not.

 

So, how can you determine if a WDI inspection is needed in your home? Trick question.

 

Everyone and every home should get inspected for WDIs.

 

Because it is so hard to tell if your home has fallen victim to termites or other wood-munching insects, it’s a good idea to get it inspected regularly, new home or not.

 

There are a few signs to look for around your home that can be indicative of an infestation such as:

 

  • Decaying or rotting wood structures visible in and outside of the home
  • Small holes in wooden decks, fence posts, window sills, or doorways
  • Small piles of dust below holes
  • Wings or dead bodies of insects in the corners of your home
  • Tiny tubes made or wood or other debris that insects use for shelter

 

Even if you feel you’ve thoroughly inspected your home for these signs, however, that doesn’t mean you don’t have an infestation. 

 

The best way to find a WDI infestation and put a stop to it is to schedule an inspection today so you can put your mind at ease knowing you’re getting rid of the problem and helping to prevent it in the future.

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Sump Pump Slump

Nothing is worse than stepping into your basement and being ankle-deep in water.

 

When your sump pump fails, it can quickly lead to flooding that not only can have a negative effect on the foundation of your home, but ruin just about anything stored in your basement as well. But most of us want to avoid the possibility of this failure from ever happening, so, how do you know how to care for your pump and when it needs replaced?

 

An important piece of information to know is that, just like any mechanical device, your sump pump has a lifespan.

 

Specifically, 8-12 years is the average time frame you’ll be able to get out of it before replacement is necessary. If you aren’t sure how old the pump is, but know that your house is over that 8-12 year limit, it’s a good idea to swap it out proactively.

 

To make sure the pump that you do have installed is running properly and efficiently to maximize that lifespan, there’s a few things you can do to regularly maintain it.

 

 

First, we want to take a look into the water inside the pump to make sure there’s no dirt and debris inside that could be clogging certain elements, making it work harder and straining the system.

 

Next, there will be a switch inside that you can pull up to test that everything is in working order, water is flowing as it should, and even be able to pin-point where something might not be functioning so you can repair it ASAP.

 

Watch Jon in this video below demonstrate step by step how to check to see if your sump pump is in good health:

 

 

At Musselman Home Inspection, we like to be a resource for all things home maintenance, and this specific piece of equipment falls into that category. For more information and assistance on any and all things sump-pump, feel free to reach out and we will be more than happy to provide demonstrations, recommendations, and any additional help you might need.

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Change That Filter

When it comes to keeping cool in those long, hot summer months, your air conditioner is heavily relied on.

 

When it’s working hard all day long to push that cold air into your homes, it’s also sucking in a lot of dirt, dust, and debris from the outside world.

 

That’s where the air filter comes in. However, unless you make sure to swap it out when it’s full, you’re asking for trouble.

 

Not only does keeping an old air filter in your A/C unit put you and your family at risk of breathing in unwanted particles that are now blowing around the house, but with a clogged up filter, your air conditioner now has to work harder to do it’s job.

 

Any piece of equipment that is pushed beyond it’s normal functions is bound to run into issues down the road, and this case is no different. With the elements being put under strain, they can end up either failing, or using up a ton more energy than previously needed, leaving you with a bigger bill than you bargained for.

 

Luckily for you, this is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly task that’ll have you back to relaxing comfortably in your home all summer long.

 

And with services like EcoBee and Amazon, you can set up a subscription to have fresh, new filters shipped right to your door every 90 days (as recommended).

 

That way, all you have to do is swap it out when it shows up and let your unit do the rest.

 

As we know, there are multiple types of air conditioning units out there, so we’ve created a few demonstrative videos to help assist you in changing your air filter no matter what type your house relies on:

 

Changing your Basement Unit‘s air filter –

Changing your Attic Unit‘s air filter –

Changing your Window Unit‘s air filter –

 

Changing tour  Mini-Split Unit‘s air filter –

 

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