(a) Wood construction.

1. (1) The top of the foundation wall and all exterior wood, such as siding and framing, must be at least three inches (3”) above outside grade.
2. (2) To lower grade, soil next to wall must be removed to necessary depth and treated with approved chemicals according to the label directions.

(c) Figure 1 explains this section.

1. (1) In this drawing, the top of the foundation is level with the outside grade.

2. (2) This is a hazardous condition for two (2) reasons:

   1. (A) Wood at or near ground level is often damp, a condition favorable to termites; and
   2. (B) Termites can easily enter from the outside, unseen, by going through cracks in the first mortar joint and then into the sheathing.
3. (3) Unless the outside grade is at least three inches (3”) below the wood parts of the house (including the siding on a frame house), it must be treated as described in this section.