Termites or Dog?

Question

I'm currently looking at a rehab/flip in the Austin area and have been sent some pictures by the current owner. Overall the place on the inside isn't bad at all. There are a few doors to replace and it could use some paint but at face value it's all cosmetic. But he sent me a picture that concerns me of the door leading to the back porch. He claims his dog did the damage but I'm not so sure. I'm going to attach it and would love to hear what you guys think. I'm too new to rehabbing properties to just be able to look and know. If it is termites what kind of costs would I be looking at potentially? I realize there is a wide range but just having an idea would be a good starting point.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses!

Michaela G. · Answer

From what I can see on the picture, it looks like termites to me. Maybe I'm misinterpreting what I'm seeing, but looks like little vertical tunnels, that may have been further torn up by the dog.

Termites can't live in light and thus they will bore through wood and go back into the ground every 24 hours or so.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

It's fortunate the seller didn't just try to cover this up by replacing the door jamb prior to putting it up for sale. Now you have a clue. Poke in a few places for soft wood (indicative of water, rot or insects). It may be that water, rot or insects started the problem and the dog added to it.  In any case, you would certainly complete a home inspection prior to purchase and negotiate for any short comings affecting the value before closing. Make your offer subject to inspection.

Patrick Liska · Answer

the home inspector should be able to tell you what it is

Patrick Liska · Answer

that could also be dry rot, if the wood gets wet and dries and then just keeps doing that, the wood will eventually rot away, seen that a lot around door jambs. but i will add that the wet wood does attract Carpenter ants. have an exterminate inspect the house before purchasing, even the home inspector would be able to tell you.

James DeRoest · Answer

I'm going with wood rot....cause that's where it always is.

Termites would eat the whole thing so you can rule it out by pushing a screwdriver in maybe a foot and two foot above this. I'm betting it'll be solid wood, but if by chance the screw driver goes in, then it could be termites. Maybe. Or carpenter ants.

But another reason I don't think it's either carpenters or termites is that there is no trash. A termite will leave sand, and a carpenter ant will leave a fine dust.

In my experience, if a termite eats the door frame, then that's all they will eat. They won't chew on the studs. For some reason, they get a taste for one thing and one thing only. Not to say they won't dine out on the studs the following week though, who wants Chinese food every night?

Either way, fix is easy; pop the trim off the front, take the door out inc frame, put a new one in.

Ben Mills · Answer

Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm already planning on having a home inspector check out the house, would a separate exterminator visit be necessary?

Termites or Dog?

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