Has anyone come across either in our general area? I know both are more prevelant in different areas (like where it's more rocky and where there are more wood homes). We're having our home tested for both and were wondering if anyone who's purchased homes recently in the QV/BV/HA areas have run tests as well and if anyone here has had positive results. We haven't tested yet and of course, this is yet another thing to worry about. Our house is mostly brick, rock, stucco with a cement/rock foundation. Don't know if that matters.

Termites are very common, and usually (not always) the cost to repair termite damage is a lot less than you might think. If the bug man finds bugs, have your place treated.

Don't know anything about radon.

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When we purchased our home just off Dickinson, the inspector found old termite damage and we treated - just in case. I have yet to see an active termite colony in the house, but the old damage they had done to the joists was nasty.

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Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -- T. L. Holdcroft

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.-- S. R. Barr

Thanks for the input. Our house was fully rehabbed 3-4 yrs ago before we bought it so there's no old wood in the home, but I just wanted to see how prevelant it was in the area. Naturally, we'll have it fixed if there is an issue.

We've had termites twice. I think everyone on the block has had them at least once. If there is any wood in your house at all, they will find it and move in.

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What American accent do you have?
Your Result: Philadelphia
Your accent is as Philadelphian as a cheesesteak!

Radon is not so common around here but termite infestation can happen anywhere, really. A radon inspection usually costs around $300 - if you are thinking of selling your house and want to get a test done, it would really go toward your benefit for the point of full disclosure. I would venture a guess that it would come back at acceptable levels.

The main thing regarding termites is to seal any areas outside of the house where moisture may penetrate. You could also hire a pest company to do a yearly inspection and to provide you with a cert - might cost you $100 or less per year.

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I'm Mr Brightside.

Thanks again everyone. It's actually the buyers of our home who are doing the tests and paying for them. I just wanted to see how often they come back positive in our area to see how much WE'LL have to fix in case they're positive. As I said, there's really very little wood in our home - all metal studs, concrete, brick, stucco.....since it was just renovated 3 yrs ago. Hopefully both will be negative. I'm just a big worry wort.

Don't worry too much. Especially since there is no need/use in worrying until the test come back.

Good luck!

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Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -- T. L. Holdcroft

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.-- S. R. Barr

Very little wood in your home? With the exception of your masonry party walls, I would venture to say that all load bearing components of your house are wood (i.e. floor joists). Not to mention all of your subflooring.

I would venture to say that the vast majority of south philly homes with the shed kitchens (in the back, over a crawl space) either have now, or have had in the past, termite problems. Depending on the level of accessibility underneath the crawl space, there is a good chance you cant even treat for the termites without drilling through the floor or ripping everything up.

That being said, it is not like all the houses are going to fall down tomorrow. I think a colony of eastern subterranean termites eats like one foot of a 2x4 per year. Formosan subterranean termites are another story; luckily for us, they are not present here.

Puffin, you are so right about the shed areas in South Philly row homes. When HIG and I were fixing our house, we ended up ripping out the kitchen floor because we felt it had a strange "give" to it. Those shed additions are usually just built over the back yard - and, sure enough, the joists were placed in the masonry just over the dirt. I should say "what was left of the joists" because the combination of wood and moisture (and old termite damage) had turned a large number of them into sponges. We ended up laying down a moisture barrier, pouring concrete, and re-framing the floor.

Lat has mentioned that their house has been re-habed within the last 3-4 years, so I would hope the people re-habbing it would have taken care of any issues.

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Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -- T. L. Holdcroft

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.-- S. R. Barr