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.

Termite species Coptotermes acinaciformis

"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."

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
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