Archicentre

Australian home owners have been warned that increased rainfall and widespread floods, combined with poor drainage under homes, is creating damp sub-floor conditions heightening the potential for increased termite attacks, Archicentre said today.

In Victoria which has experienced its highest rainfall for four years and has had double the amount of rain it had last year, dampness under houses has significantly increased termite risk.

David Hallett, Victorian State Manager of Archicentre said there are an estimated 130,000 termite attacks per annum with a repair bill of $910 million and costing an average of $7,000 to $8000 each to rectify.

Archicentre is experiencing a trend where people ordering a pre-purchase property inspection are adding termite inspections onto their requests which to an extent is being driven by the increases in property prices.

"Termites do not discriminate between expensive and less valuable homes."

Mr Hallett said dampness under the sub-floor area, which encourages termites, can be the result of poor drainage, broken pipes, a leaky tap or a broken drain, all of which result in water pooling under the house, are common situations being found by our pest inspectors.

"One of the common factors influencing termite attack was poor sub-floor clearance in older homes. This prevents good air circulation resulting in damp soil and sub-floor conditions. Generally in homes of this type the floor construction was very low to the ground, providing termites with easy access to the floor structure.

Mr Hallett said many home owners had inadvertently created conditions which invited a termite attack on their home.

"Unprotected timber in contact with the ground used in retaining walls and garden structures was found to be a common nesting area for subterranean termites.

"And landscaping practices such as mulching up against external walls allowed subterranean termites undetected access into the home, even when a termite treatment zone had been put in place with air vents in the wall to allow air flow below floor level being blocked again resulting in dampness," Mr Hallett said.

"Many termite infestations are initially caused by timber debris being left under the house, often as part of the original construction. A common problem area is where builders have filled the void area underneath a concrete porch or verandah with timber offcuts and other surplus material. These provide a potential new termite colony with protection, moisture and a rich source of food, the ingredients necessary for a future thriving nest."

Cost of Termites to Australian Home Owners

Source: Archicentre Research

www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
David Hallett, Victorian State Manager Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile: 0439 439 115
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201