Inspection Agreement and Washington State Standards of Practice

WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISM INSPECTION STANDARDS of the

WASHINGTON STATE PEST CONTROL ASSOCIATION

COMPLETE WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISM (WDO) INSPECTION REPORT.

This report is prepared from an inspection conducted by a Washington State Department of Agriculture licensed Structural  Pest  Inspector in accordance with Washington Administrative Code 16-228-2005 through 2045. Opinions contained herein are  based on conditions visible and evident at the time of the inspection.  This report does not warrant, represent, or guarantee that the structure reported on is free from evidence of WDOs, their damage, or conditions conducive to WDOs, nor does it represent or guarantee that the total damage, infestation, or infection is limited to that disclosed in this report.

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 be 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 be 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 Washington State where wet climate is common and due to their construction and materials, structures may be subject to conditions from normal weathering. Such conditions as cracking, checking, and/or warpage on doors, window casings, siding, and non-supporting wooden members shall not be reported on inspection reports except at the discretion of the inspector. Inspectors are not required to report on any wood-destroying organism infestation, infection, or other condition that might be subject to seasonal constraints or environmental conditions if evidence of those constraints or conditions is not visible at the time of the inspection.

(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.