In situations where termites may be entering a building under concrete paths, ideally we’d have the concrete removed to allow us to treat around pipes and penetrations such as water, plumbing, sewerage and electrical pipes, as these are common termite entry points into homes on concrete slabs, as are the gaps around brick work where mortar is missing.
Home owners rarely allow us to have the concrete removed, so we drill those areas and inject the soil underneath with termiticides such as Termidor.
Here are a few examples of termite entry points in brick veneer homes:
Termites were found here entering a brick veneer home beside a water pipe. Gravel, soil and polythene weed mat was removed to find the entry point in this brick veneer home.This termite entry point was only found by removing soil to expose the large gap in the wall where the electrician ran his conduit.
When weep holes are covered by paths and pavers, it is likely that foraging termites will find the gaps and enter walls where they attack the concealed wall framing. Damage is usually unnoticed until significant damage has been caused.Pavers were removed to find the termite entry point into this brick veneer home at Tingalpa. Our client was an electrician who was shocked at what we found. It was his young son that alerted him to the noise in the wall. Thermal imaging showed us that a pack of termites were working in the wall right above the entry point
Don’t be surprised! Poor brickwork such as seen in this photo is very common, and your brick home probably has similar issues. Bricklayers are only really required to make the wall stand, and as long as it stays up, they’ve done what they are required to do. The termite professionals then came along and treated the perimeter of the homes with products that generally lasted around 10 years. Our experience is that the homes most commonly attacked by termites are brick veneer homes over 10 years old. Once retreated with Termidor, brick veneer homes should remain termite free for around 8 years. Annual inspections should be maintained to ensure that termite barriers have not been breached and there are no conducive conditions around the home to attract termites.Termite Solutions technicians Jack and Bill Brewer are seen here drilling the small holes required through the concrete paths and injecting Termidor into the soil under the paths to protect the building from further termite attack. Brick veneer homes are at much higher risk of termite entry than most other classes of homes.
No doubt you’ll hear building inspectors carry on about gardens against walls being high risk, but the reality is more likely the opposite. This is why we drill and treat under slabs because this is where termites like to work.
If you would like us to undertake a termite inspection for you and offer a solution to your termite problems then don’t hesitate to contact us today!
