Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Practice Exam

The type of damage most commonly associated with wood-boring insects is structural weakening. These insects, such as termites and wood-boring beetles, excavate tunnels and galleries within the wood they infest. As they feed on cellulose, which is abundant in wood, their activities compromise the integrity of the structure.

As the infestation progresses, the wood becomes increasingly hollowed out, significantly reducing its load-bearing capacity and structural stability. This weakening can lead to serious issues in buildings, such as sagging floors, compromised walls, and even potential collapse in severe cases. Understanding this aspect is crucial for inspectors, as identifying signs of infestation can aid in determining the potential risks involved with the integrity of the structure and the need for remediation measures.

While other issues like color fading and odor problems may be observed in various contexts of wood deterioration, they don’t have the immediate structural implications that arise from damage done by wood-boring insects. Surface run-off, while a factor in moisture-related damage, is not directly relevant to the specific impacts of wood-boring insect infestations.