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Time to Read: 5 Minutes or Less

Routinely, agents confess how little they know about the physical product they sell…(the house). At times, they are embarrassed that they can’t answer client’s questions regarding the physical aspects of the house.

Each publication, you will find helpful comments and pictures to help build your knowledge base. This information is not to make you a home or termite inspector. It’s to increase your core knowledge to make you even more valuable to your client.

Preparing for the Rainy Season

The rainy season is here.  Storms are hitting.  The wind is blowing and leaves are falling. 

 

Looking up at my friend Jim's rain gutters, I subtly hinted that it may be time to clean his gutters.  "My GOSH, are you growing a forest in there?  (I'm well known for my tact.)

Bribed with a few beverages, I created my favorite FREE "Super Duper Rain Gutter Cleaning Apparatus".  Also known as the "SDRGCA"

 

 

   

 

To the untrained eye, this may look like a simple plastic antifreeze container; however, under skilled hands, it becomes a SDRGCA! ! !

 

                   

My SDRGCA forms perfectly to the size and shape of the rain gutter for easy cleaning.  Plus it holds more debris than any type of commercial gutter scoop that I've found.  Best of all....its FREE! ! !  Hang you debris bucket from the rain gutter and cleaning your gutters become quite simple.

Now Jim...."Have you thought about installing gutter screens? " 

 

Easiest way to remove moss from your roof

 

    

While still working on Jim's roof, I commented.  "Geez, look at that moss! !   Don't you know this moss can cause a LOT of damage to your roof?"  (My tactful manner again.)

"The moss' rooting system can pull up all of the sand granules that protect the roof from the sun.  If you don't treat your roof every 1-2 years, this moss will reduce the life expectancy of your roof covering by 20% - 30%."

I've tried 5-10 different types of moss killing agents and have found MOSS OUT (from Lilley Miller Co.) to be the best. Home Depot, Lowe's and your Ace Hardware will carry it.  Each fall after the first rain (when the moss is growing and active), I simply fill a 2 gallon garden sprayer with the proper solution and spray the entire roof.  Within a very short period of time, the moss dies.  Over the winter, most of the clumps of moss will be washed away by the rain. 

 

 

 

 

For about $20.00 per year, your roof can be as clean as this one. 

WOW! !   Look at all this good information and you don't have to buy me a beverage.   (smile)  Hopefully you will find NBI worthy of your inspection business.

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The termite are swarming again

Learn how to identify drywood and subterranean termites

Agents are often times asking NBI's inspectors the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites.  These pictures should help distinguish the differences. 

Q:  What are the most notable differences between drywood termites and subterranean termites?

A:  Drywood termites can live in "dry wood"....they don't require an outside moisture source.  The treatment for drywood termites is (1) fumigation (2) locally treating the infested wood or (3) removing the infested wood.

Subterranean termites live in the soil where they get their moisture.  The treatment for subterranean termites is to "poison" the soil. 

Q:  As an agent, will I ever see live termites? 

A:  It's very unusual to see live termites.  They won't be walking across your kitchen countertop like an ant.  In most cases, you will only be seeing "evidence" of their presence. 

Q:  What visible evidence could I easily identify?

   

A:  Drywood termite droppings are often times "very discrete".  Here, we find a small pile of droppings on the mudsill in the garage.  The close-up shows the neat little pile that would indicate the "kick hole" (from which the droppings are being pushed out) is nearby.  This 2x4 wall stud has an active drywood termite infestation.

This is a good close-up of drywood termite droppings.  You will see they are loose granules slightly larger than salt or pepper.  Under a magnifying glass, they have very specific serrations confirming they are from a drywood termite.

Q:  Can they cause structural damage?

                        

        (Exterior wall to bathroom)                                        (2x4 stud is totally destroyed.)

A:  YES.  In most cases, you will see "evidence" of drywood termites before they cause structural damage; however, here are several pictures that show a 2x4 wall stud that has been reduced to nearly paper.  This infestation was not evident until the homeowner started repairing his shower. 

Q:  WOW !  I didn't realize they could do so much damage.  How long would it take for that kind of damage to occur? 

A:  This home has probably been infested for 8-10+ years.

Q:  What evidence would I likely see from subterranean termites?

A:  Here are subterranean termite tubes going up a sheetrock wall in the garage.  You can see that the termites are eating the paper off of the sheetrock. 

 

 

Here are termite tubes going up the foundation wall in the sub-area.  Both of these are good examples of what you could encounter when walking around the house.

 

 

    

These are GREAT pictures of subterranean termite tubes coming "down" from the framing.  Inside these dirt tubes is a termite freeway.  Once these tubes connect to the soil, the termites can freely run down to the soil; get a drink of water and then go back up and start eating on the house again.

Hopefully these pictures have helped you distinguish the differences between drywood termites and subterranean termites. 

Feel free to contact NBI's Answerman at Answerman@goNBI.com any time with questions about termites and treatment techniques. 

Go to www.goNBI.com for samples of NBI's home and termite reports. Click on Sample Report in the left column.

 

NBI has only two things to sell, unequalled construction knowledge and “TIME”. We understand that we will never be able to sell “TOMORROW” again. NBI would rather give your client a GIANT discount for acting fast, than not filling an open time slot.

By ordering a “Last Minute Home and Termite Inspection”, your client could save up to $300.

Our normal rates are: (Based upon homes under 2000 sq. ft.)

Home Inspection: $375.00
Termite Inspection: $210.00
Total:.. $585.00

If you fill a combination (home and termite) inspection for the day following your call; your client will have to pay only $285.00! A $300 SAVINGS!

(Example: If you call NBI on Monday and you are able to fill an open time slot we have on Tuesday, you will receive up to a $300 discount.)

If you fill one of our time slots 2 days from your call, your client will have to pay only $385.00! A $200 SAVINGS!

If you fill one of our time slots 3 days from your call, your client will only have to pay $485.00! A $100 SAVINGS!

(Note: Our condominium inspection prices are $240, $310, and $380 respectively.)

Call our office at (800) Go-NBI-NOW (800) 466-2466 for complete details. For additional information about our company, please visits us at www.goNBI.com.

Place your inspection orders on-line, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

 

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My roofer and I were looking at the great roof he had just installed in the spring.  He was very proud of the quality of his installation.

Then I mentioned that "I'm looking forward to replacing this roof covering." 

In shock, he said..."What are you talking about?  This is the best composition shingle roof on the market.  By the time this roof needs replacing, it will cost you $40,000 to install a new one.   This roof will last you 40-45 years! ! !   How can you say that you are looking forward to replacing it. "

I smiled and said..."I just celebrated my 60th birthday"   (smile)

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Like NBI's helpful hints? Send us the email addresses of fellow agents that could benefit from these hints. Send to, Answerman@goNBI.com.

HAVE QUESTIONS or concerns regarding a potential home problem, ask NBI's AnswerMan at Answerman@goNBI.com.