Termite damage can remain hidden until the building requires extensive repairs. A general building inspection may not include a comprehensive termite inspection, so property owners should arrange a suitable timber pest or termite inspection when required.
Many home insurance policies exclude damage caused by termites or other insects. However, coverage varies between insurers and policies, so homeowners should check their Product Disclosure Statement.
By the time mud tubes, damaged timber or hollow-sounding skirting boards become visible, termites may have already caused concealed damage. Planning termite management before construction begins gives installers access to areas that may become difficult or expensive to reach after builders complete the slab and surrounding surfaces.
Early planning can reduce future retrofit work
Installing a compliant termite management system during construction allows the builder and termite management provider to include the system in the building plans and construction sequence.
Retrofitting a system into a finished home may require drilling through adjoining concrete, trenching around footings or treating soil beneath paths and paved areas. This work may cost more and cause greater disruption than installing suitable products during construction.
However, no termite management system guarantees that termites will never enter a building. Regular inspections and ongoing maintenance remain essential after construction.
Different termite management systems can protect a new building
ETermite management for a new build or major renovation does not always require the same combination of products. The building design, construction method, site conditions and applicable building requirements determine the most suitable system.
A termite management plan may include one or more of the following:
- Chemical soil-treated zones established around or beneath specified parts of the structure
- Building-integrated sheet materials or collars around service penetrations and perimeter areas
- Stainless steel mesh or graded stone systems
- Termite-resistant materials
- Construction methods that expose potential termite entry for inspection
- Reticulation systems that allow technicians to replenish a chemical soil-treated zone
Chemical soil treatments may use repellent or non-repellent termiticides. In contrast, building-integrated products protect specified construction details or help prevent concealed termite entry.
Some projects benefit from combining compatible methods. However, Australian requirements do not automatically require every new building to use both a chemical soil treatment and a physical barrier system. The complete design must suit the building and comply with the applicable requirements, product labels and installation instructions.
Where termite management fits into the build sequence
The installation sequence depends on the selected termite management system and the building design.
Installers may complete different components at several stages, including:
- Treating specified soil areas before builders install the moisture membrane or pour the slab
- Installing collars or sheet materials around service penetrations before the concrete pour
- Protecting expansion and construction joints at the stage specified in the building plans
- Completing perimeter components when the relevant construction areas become accessible
- Inspecting the installed system before builders conceal critical sections
The builder, termite management provider and other trades must coordinate this work carefully. Plumbing changes, damaged barriers or unplanned penetrations can affect the system if the project team does not report and rectify them.
What this means for renovations
Additions, extensions and major renovations can create new potential termite entry points. These may occur where a new slab meets an existing footing, where trades install new plumbing or where the design introduces expansion and construction joints.
Therefore, the project team should assess how the new work will connect with the property’s existing termite management system. Renovation work may also provide access for installing building-integrated products that could not otherwise be retrofitted into the completed building.
A licensed professional should assess the whole property rather than focusing only on the new footprint. The assessment should also identify existing termite activity, previous treatments, inaccessible areas and building changes that may affect the original system.
The takeaway
If you are planning a new build or renovation, ask your builder or termite management provider:
- Which termite management system will the project use?
- Which areas of the building will the system protect?
- Who will install each component, and do they hold the required licences or manufacturer accreditation?
- At which construction stages will installation and inspection occur?
- Which certificates, installation plans and warranty documents will you receive?
- Which inspections and maintenance will the property require after construction?
Clear answers should form part of a documented termite management plan. The plan should identify the selected products, installation locations, responsibilities and ongoing inspection requirements.
In our related articles, we explain the differences between chemical termiticides such as Fipforce HP, Termidor and Biflex. We also examine building-integrated termite management products such as Kordon and Greenzone Expansion Foam.
Contact us to discuss a termite management system for your next build or renovation.
