Weather lets the rot set in

TERMITES love the wet and warm weather combination … and it’s also ideal for wood rot.
And, that’s a double-barrel blast of bad news for homeowners.
Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, has warned these unusual weather conditions are likely to cause a significant increase in damage to houses by termites and timber rot.
Archicentre Victorian State Manager David Hallett said Archicentre pest inspectors had already seen the beginning of ideal conditions for breeding of termites and for accelerated timber rot.
“Pre-purchase home inspection statistics compiled by Archicentre have found that 35 per cent of all homes sold have some form of borer, termite, dry rot, or timber fungus problem.
“Borers can be a silent destroyer with the first indication of a problem being when the vacuum cleaner head hits the skirting board which turns into dust.
“Termites and timber rot, which is actually a fungus, both flourish in warm moist conditions and Archicentre’s inspectors had noted a dramatic increase in the moisture content of soil under houses during the course of pre-purchase house inspections.”
Mr Hallett said that home owners should take action to dry out sub floors by increasing ventilation, removing debris and generally allowing more air to circulate.
“Termite activity slows down in the winter but new nests may be being established now which will lead to problems next spring.
“Home owners with concrete floor slabs should now be looking for early signs of termite attack such as mud tubes on the edges of concrete slabs and damaged skirtings and architraves.”
Archicentre undertakes more than 20,000 reports each year and the statistics indicate that in some suburbs one in five homes could be affected by termites and the annual cost of damage to Australian homes is more than $1 billion.
Archicentre’s national pre-purchase home inspection statistics reveals all homes inspected had pier or stump faults and timber rot.
“With our rapidly heating property market, home buyers should be particularly wary of termite problems and timber rot to structural elements and windows.”
Mr Hallett said that Archicentre’s inspectors had seen homes with up to $100,000 in damage that would not be evident without a comprehensive inspection.
However, they had also seen cases where people had spent thousands of dollars on pest treatments that weren’t needed.
“It is critical that home buyers and home owners seek independent professional advice.”
For more information visit www.archicentre.com.au.