WDI Inspections Richmond VA Reports Issued Same Day

When you're buying, selling, or refinancing a home in Richmond, you will almost certainly need a Wood-Destroying Insect (WDI) Inspection.

While they aren't required by law, they are required by nearly all lenders before they issue a loan. Why? Because a WDI inspection is the most detailed look they can get at the structural health of a property. It’s far more in-depth than a basic termite check.

A WDI inspection goes beyond just termites. We are looking for signs of damage or infestation from five major types of wood-destroying insects. This inspection covers a huge area to give the lender (and you!) complete peace of mind:

• All Interior Levels: We check every floor, looking at baseboards, walls, and flooring.
• The Attic: A critical area where leaks can cause prime conditions for wood-destroying pests.
• Attached Structures: We thoroughly inspect all attached garages, decks, and porches.
• Exterior: We check the full exterior foundation and all parts of the home that touch the ground.
• Detached Structures: Depending on the specific lender or loan program, we may also inspect detached buildings like barns or sheds.

A WDI inspection specifically logs and reports on the activity of these five common wood-destroying insects:

• Termites: These tiny insects live in underground colonies. They eat the wood from the inside out and often build mud tubes to travel safely from the soil to your home's structure.
• Carpenter Ants: These are large, black ants that don't eat wood, but instead tunnel through already damaged wood to build nests. They leave behind small shavings and ant parts (called frass) near their entry points, often near wood damaged by water. They can also be found nesting in crawl space insulation.
• Carpenter Bees: These large, solitary bees drill perfectly round holes into exposed wood (like trim, decks, or fascia) to lay their eggs. They rarely cause structural damage, but the entry holes can lead to rot over time.
• Powder Post Beetles: These small beetles are hard to spot, but their larvae bore tiny, pinhole-sized holes in wood as they exit. They often attack hardwoods and their damage can turn wood into a fine, flour-like powder.
• Old House Borer Beetles: Despite the name, this is a long-horned beetle that attacks the soft, new wood found in newer construction. You might hear the chewing sound of their larvae, or see oval-shaped exit holes, often near the edges of wood.

Whether you are protecting an investment or meeting a loan requirement, a WDI inspection is one of the most important steps for any real estate transaction in Richmond VA.