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Building your Dream Home!

If you’re ready to build your dream home, now is the time to address how to manage the termite issue, so that your dream home doesn’t turn into a termite nightmare. Most homes are now constructed on a concrete slab, so this article will address mainly this construction style. Another is the Raise and Renovate project. For other styles, please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice. Our solutions completely and utterly comply with the new Queensland Building Code amendments!

To us at Environpest, it all starts with a properly placed and vibrated concrete slab. Strength losses and shrinkage cracks occur with a poorly placed concrete slab. Ask the question of your preferred builder if he plans to vibrate your concrete slab. The Cement and Concrete Association of Australia published a document in 1995 on using the concrete slab as part of the termite barrier, and they were adamant that concrete vibration was essential.

With a properly placed and vibrated concrete slab, the slab can be realistically used as part of the termite barrier, and then typically only the slab penetrations (plumbing and electrical etc.) and the brick cavity need to be protected. We prefer Granitgard. Granitgard is a graded stone barrier (no chemicals or poisons) that packs too tightly for termites to fit between, and is too heavy for termites to shift. It is a true “life of building” product that is extremely difficult for following trades to damage. To take it a bit further, we do like exposed slab edge construction. With an exposed slab edge, only the penetrations require the Granitgard, and the cost of termite protection drops to just $200.00. How logical is that?

Termite resistant (hardwood, cypress pine, LOSP, or steel) framing should also be considered. With termite resistant framing, if termites were to occur, they should always be found in softwood trims before structural damage occurred. I'd prefer it if the window and door reveals, and the door jambs were LOSP treated too. If an aluminium door or window reveal is damaged to the point it needs to be replaced, the door or window usually needs to be removed to allow replacement. If a door jamb fails, the door can fall off. If they're properly treated, you don't have to worry about them being termite damaged. With the architraves and skirting, I much prefer them to be untreated finger jointed pine. Building this way, if termites were to ever occur to a home, they're going to be found in the softwood trims (the architraves and skirtings) usually before structural damage occurs. Annual inspections are still required with any termite management system. 

There are a few builders who have taken to the termite issue well, and we have no hesitation in recommending them. If you're thinking about building, please visit our Preferred Builders page.

With a few relatively simple and inexpensive measures, we can ensure your dream home doesn't turn into a termite nightmare! © Mark Porter 2001

Concrete vibration on a domestic slab, and Granitgard installed to a brick cavity

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