MOISTURE AND TERMITES
In my 16 years experience treating and repairing damage, I still wonder how much of it could have been be avoided. Much of it can with simple steps, as in regular inspection for rising damp/termites, and good sub-floor ventilation.
The moment you suspect any thing awry, action is required urgently by experts in this field. When house construction was carried out in the 1930’s - 1970’s, damp course membranes were mainly of slate, and flexibility was non-existent. Now we see rising damp and termite problems occurring frequently.

The current Australian standards allow for better construction methods, and so we are getting better control and warnings of these problems before they occur. It is a great advantage stopping or preventing damage before it gets out of hand.
Three Vital Steps You Can Do To Minimize Damage To Your Home
1. Have an expert come to inspect your wall moisture levels using a moisture meter. This will detect rising damp.
2. Get an inspection carried out for termites by a qualified home builder who is also a licenced timber pest inspector. An added advantage if they are members of the Master Builder’s Association (M.B.A.) or Housing Industry Association (H.I.A.)
3. Once any problem has been identified, take action as soon as possible and arrange for protection.
If poor ventilation is identified as been the problem, subfloor fans may need to be installed to allow for correct air flow. If its termites, a chemical barrier may be needed, or a baiting system may be recommended. Termite baits help identify activity of termites on your site, alongside of regular inspections. They do NOT attract termites, they intercept them BEFORE they get a chance to enter your home.

One client I recall had called me to check to see why all her clothes were covered in mould. Upon entering her house I noticed a musty smell. I advised that I cut a floor trap for inspection access to her subfloor. When I got under her house, I noticed 300ml of water! The substructure timbers had decayed extensively from excessive moisture. When I came out from under the house, she wondered why I was soaked in water. I replied, “I didn’t know you had a in-ground pool!

It turned out my client had been living with mould for eight years and didn’t think much of it. In conclusion, we organised a plumber improve drainage, our firm installed a ducted subfloor fan system with a rectified damp-course. About six months later we reinspected the subfloor and it was completely dry.

The skill of inspections and moisture meter readings is a science of interpretation, so experience by the contractor is in these fields are vital. Only choose a home builder and termite inspector who can show proof of their qualifications and experience.

Sydney Building Repairs supply the following services:
Termite Inspections
Subfloor Ventilation
Damp-Course Remedial Work
Waterproofing &.General Building Repairs

Article by Joe Alexander Ovidi, Member M.B.A., H.I.A.,
I.P.C.A. (International Pest Control Association)
Building Contractor Lic. 171866C
Timber Pest Inspector Lic No. 2003

Mobile 041605383 - Please Call For a Free Quote
joe@buildingrepairs.com.au
www.buildingrepairs.com.au
www.subfloorfans.com.au

It is a condition of use that you don’t alter this article without permission from Ovidium Enterprises Pty Ltd, reference the author (Joe Ovidi), and provide a link back to www.home-builder.com.au

Member I.P.C.A. (International Pest Control Association)
Building Contractor Lic. 171866C
Timber Pest Inspector Lic No. 2003

Mobile 041605383 - Please Call For a Free Quote

joe@buildingrepairs.com.au
www.buildingrepairs.com.au
www.subfloorfans.com.au

It is a condition of use that you don’t alter this article without permission from Ovidium Enterprises Pty Ltd, reference the author (Joe Ovidi), and provide a link back to www.home-builder.com.au

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com