The importance of termite damage repair

Termite damage

Important points to note

Termites are mainly white ants and mostly have a pale white colour. However, some species are nearly opaque. Treating live mites in your home is different from repairing the damage they have triggered. Termite damage repairs are only effective after the live termites have been eliminated. Therefore it would be advisable to hire a licensed and skilled chemical technician to eliminate live termites.

Termite control involves several essential tasks. For instance, a frequent termite inspection is vital. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the suburbs have many termite attacks.

The reason for this is:

• The joints in concrete footings or slabs may be improperly sealed where the extensions meet the original structure.

• Improper sealing of slabs or footings where the lawns are adjacent to the exterior stumps and walls or brickwork.

• There may be timber lying around the garden.

• Leaking air conditioner units or leaking hose pipes.

At times if you live near bush land, you may experience termite invasion. Numerous things entice termites. For instance, these ants may be attracted by rotting timber stumps or timber directly exposed to the soil. Most termites are found in sections of the house near water areas where the water drops to the concrete or oil.

Inspections before buying a property

Do you want to buy a property? It would be best to undertake a pest and building inspection before finalising the purchase. An issue can be found during the inspection, for instance, termites or white ants. Due to this, buyers may panic and hesitate to buy. However, the examinations are informative; hence you can use the inspection data to negotiate costs. A potential buyer can be affected psychologically by termites or termite damage.

During a timber pest inspection (pre-purchase), a property undergoes inspection for:

• Timber pest damage

• Timber pest activity

Different conditions in and near the property

Timber pests describe termites or white ants, wood fungi and borers (that trigger wood decay/rot). It is essential to realise that this inspection is visible. Inspectors should not move items on the property nor cause damage as they check any suspicious areas. Apart from any findings in the inspector reports, they can also advise you to have a more ‘invasive’ inspection. It facilitates shifting items to gain access to suspicious areas. Alternatively they can move items or use suitable equipment to check floors and walls.

But the seller should permit more inspections. If they refuse, the sale should not proceed as they are concealing something. Some sellers can decline to give access to inspectors to some sections of the home by moving equipment, furniture or boxes. If your property has active termites, it is vital to understand the extent of damage and activity.

Any price decrease should consider repairing damaged areas and treating active termites.