The average person has their automobile serviced every six months. Individuals who “never get sick” should see their doctor at least once a year. How often do you inspect your house to ensure everything is in working order?
Termites are 12 times more likely to attack your home in Australia than a house fire, but most home insurance policies do not cover termite damage. With Sydney’s most dangerous termite species capable of causing severe damage in as little as six months, every homeowner should have a termite management strategy to preserve their most important asset.
An effective termite management strategy combines frequent termite inspections with installing a suitable termite control system to protect your house. On the other hand, the annual termite inspection is the cornerstone of a termite management plan. Termite inspections are intended to detect signs of termite activity, evidence of termite damage, and conditions in and around the property that make the building vulnerable to termite assault.
With several pest control firms in Sydney offering termite inspection services (and regrettably, not all are reliable), homeowners must understand what goes into a termite inspection to ensure they’re getting a quality examination.
What Exactly Is a Termite Inspection?
Termite inspections are divided into five major categories;1. Inspecting the Interior
Each room must be inspected, and wet spaces (kitchen, bathroom, and laundry) must be tested for potential leaks using moisture meters.2. The Subfloor (If Present)
If access to the subfloor is possible, the inspector must crawl to all four corners to evaluate supporting structures, flooring timbers, and drainage.3. Checking the Exterior
The inspector must pay special attention to the areas surrounding the house. The inspector is looking for potential termite entry points, whether the soil level or another structure is concealing potential termite entry points, there are elevated moisture levels due to watering systems, leaks, or drainage issues that could make it more appealing to termites, and is there any evidence of termite activity?
4. Land Assessment
Assess the land around the building for favorable circumstances, such as trees, stumps, timber retaining walls, timber fences, garden beds, and any outbuildings/constructions. “Termite food” in the shape of plants and wood mulch near the house?5. There Needs to Be Roof Space
The inspector must enter the roof area and crawl from one end of the roof space to the other, inspecting each timber. Typically, the electricity must be shut off before entering the roof space. The inspector is not permitted to enter the roof space if there are any safety issues.How Long Does It Take to Inspect for Termites?
With all of these areas to investigate (and you don’t want the inspector to rush), it’s easy to see how a full termite inspection could take some time, even for a “typical” property. The time required to do a termite inspection will vary depending on the size of the facility, the kind of construction, and any on-site difficulties.
On the other hand, a conventional three or 4-bedroom house inspection will take at least 2 hours. Therefore, you should be concerned if the termite inspector assesses in less than an hour.
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