Protecting Your New Home From Termite Threats

It is impossible to exaggerate what type of threat termites pose to homes in Australia. Approximately one-third of homes in Australia will have termite threats. They cause billions of dollars in damage each year, making them one of the largest, if not the largest, threat to private property in the country.

Fortunately, you do not have to be vulnerable to termites. You can take steps to protect your new home. First, you should understand what the Building Code of Australia (BCA) requires of builders. Many people believe that the BCA is designed to protect people who buy new homes, but it does not go far enough to protect your property. The BCA only requires builders to use termite-resistant materials. However, the termite problem in Australia is just too severe to be controlled by termite-resistant materials.

The Home Building Act of 1989 goes beyond the BCA.

This consumer protection act requires “whole of house” protection for new buildings. It should include protection for nonstructural elements, in addition to the requirement that builders use termite-resistant building materials.
However, as a consumer, you have the right to increase your protection beyond the minimums required by law. Building a home is expensive. It can be tempting to try to lower costs by avoiding upfront expenses that seem unnecessary. However, for most people, our homes are our biggest investments. Spending a little extra to protect that investment can save you time and protect your property well into the future.

What type of termite protection is right for you?

It depends on what type of construction you have. We use different combinations of protection for concrete slabs and suspended floors. Comprehensive termite protection starts with construction. Your builder should be using termite-resistant materials and termite-resistant building techniques. We can help you with chemical and physical barriers to help reduce your termite risk. Combining new construction building practices with regular inspections can significantly reduce the risk of termites damaging your property.

At Flick, we are happy to work with builders to ensure that your home is safe. We can inspect your property at various points during construction, advise them on termite-resistant building methods, and help ensure that chemical and physical termite barriers are included in your construction. We also offer consumer-level protection by providing inspections for our customers before they purchase new construction.