North Carolina Home Inspector Practice Exam

What should be done if an inspector discovers termites during a home inspection?

1. Ignore the findings

2. Report it for further evaluation

3. Suggest treatment plans

4. Advise immediate evacuation of the house

The correct answer is: Report it for further evaluation

When an inspector discovers termites during a home inspection, it is crucial that the findings are reported for further evaluation. This is because termites can cause significant structural damage to a home if left untreated. A home inspector's role is to identify any issues that could affect the integrity and safety of the property, and termites fall squarely into this category. By reporting the presence of termites, the inspector ensures that the homeowner or potential buyer is aware of the issue and can take the necessary steps to have a professional pest control service evaluate the situation further. This course of action promotes safety and addresses the problem effectively, as trained pest control professionals can assess the extent of the infestation and recommend appropriate treatment. The other options do not provide a suitable response to the discovery of termites. Ignoring the findings could lead to significant damage over time, while suggesting treatment plans or advising immediate evacuation goes beyond the inspector’s role, which is primarily to report observations and recommend further evaluations by qualified professionals.