3
April 2008
Planning and
Building Practices Increase Termite Risk
The
move by governments to increase housing densities and the failure of many
builders to clean up their building site is increasing the risk of termite
attacks in Australia, according to Archicentre, the building advisory service
of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
State
Manager South Australia of Archicentre Jim Jovanovic said, "Termite attack
risk can also be increased with the clearing of land in urban areas for major
infrastructure projects such as road works and freeways.
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Termite species Coptotermes
acinaciformis
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"Untidy
properties with rubbish in and around the home can also attract termites
which can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to a home
without the home owner even knowing until it is too late.
"Termites
have become an increasing risk management strategy for home buyers who
are having both structural and pest reports carried out on proposed
housing purchases."
Mr
Jovanovic said that there are an estimated 130,000 termite attacks
in Australia per annum with a repair bill of $910 million and costing
an average of $7,000 each to rectify.
"Higher density planning strategies mean more disturbances of termite
nests, forcing termites to seek out alternative food sources and creating
a greater difficulty in protecting properties from attack.
"When some home owners are confronted with the realisation that their
home is infested by termites and that the eradication and damage cost
could be expensive, they may decide instead to sell their homes."
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Archicentre
conducts thousands of pre-purchase housing inspections for consumers and in
response to home buyers' requests has added a Pest Inspection Service with
a $10,000 consumer guarantee to its services to ensure costly termite and
pest problems are investigated.
Archicentre
has found during home inspections that some home owners take steps to conceal
the termite damage. For the unwary home buyer this can mean an expensive lesson
especially when access to areas is denied or patch up jobs cover up the problems.
Some of the
problems Archicentre has encountered during home inspections include:
* A mattress placed on the floor and heavy boxes strategically placed to conceal
termite damage.
* Access hatch to the ceiling nailed shut to prevent access. The roof framing
was badly affected and was sagging.
* Skirtings and architraves patched and painted to conceal termite damage.
* A bedroom was locked during inspection times apparently 'because it contained
valuables'. In fact the floor had been totally destroyed by termites.
Cost
of Termites to Australian Home Owners
| Number of households
in Australia |
7.2 million |
| Estimated number
affected by termites |
(9%) 650,000 |
| Average cycle time |
5 years |
| Estimated number
of new attacks per annum |
130,000 |
| Average rectification
cost |
$7,000 |
| Estimated annual
cost per annum |
$910 million |
Source:
Archicentre Research
www.archicentre.com.au
Pest Inspections: Commercial Inspections; Building Status Reports; House Inspections;
Home Renovations; New Home Design Reports;
Pre-Purchase Inspections; Building Progress Reports; House Cracking; Structural
Reports.
