Timber Pest Inspection is more than a Termite Inspection

The inspection consists of the following parts:

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Termite Inspection

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There are many parts to this inspection. There is the search for termites. This consists of looking for live active termites, observing where they may have broken through various barriers and so forth.

There is also looking for termite damage. This may not be existing termites, but some damage that was done many years ago. Canberra does have termites and often they attack one section of one piece of wood and move on. And often that damage is not seen until an inspection one or two decades later.

There can also be subterranean termites, but these are found more out of Canberra, though they can still be found in the suburbs.

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Wood Borers

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Borer can be found in Canberra. It is not as prevalent as termites. In almost all Canberra fence palings there was borer, before the palings were milled.

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Fungal Decay

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This is not so uncommon in Canberra, especially on the weather side of the house. To the untrained person, this can look like termites, but it is not. The fungus can also be called dry rot and other names. It gets to below zero in Canberra in the winter and if the timber is not well painted, it will begin to dry out in summer, leaving small access points for water in winter., That water ices and expands overnight and then thaws during the day. After a long time the timber is badly open to the elements, and then the next summer, more timber resin that holds the timber together seeps out. The cycle continues year after year.

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Cemical Delignification

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This is where timber simply loses its resin and falls apart. It is a chemical phenomena. In Australia the old Oregon, which was mostly Douglas Fur is a big culprit. That timber is not used anymore for this reason. It is seldom seen in Canberra today.

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Conducive Conditions

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These are conditions that invite timber pest attack. An underfloor that is moist can invite termites. Wood lying around outside can do the same.

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Major Safety Hazards

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These are conditions whereby the timber has degraded to a point where the structure is now a major safety hazard. This could be a pergola that is falling apart, or a post that is no longer supporting the load.

So, with all the above inspected, one can have a better understanding of what is in the house.

For prices on the Timber Pest Inspection please check this page.

For more information where this fits in, read the Inspection Types page, and also you can Contact Us here.

This inspection should be part of your general inspection package.

For more information on residential reports and ACT property inspections, please contact us.