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Seen a wall destroyed by termite damage?
Termite damage can be extensive and costs for repairs can vary widely. It is accepted that the average cost to rectify termite damage in Australia is approximately $7,000 although some incidents can render a bill in excess of $50,000.
Since termites can remain concealed in the wood for years, and enter your home through underground leads, it is often not until termite damage is extensive, and timbers collapse, that you realise there's a problem and you have a wall destroyed by termites.
Dispelling The Myths
The seller is required to make good if termites are found.
Not unless specified in the Contract for the Sale of Land by Offer and Acceptance – a section within the standard buying/selling contract for the transfer of property. Read more on legal responsibilities with respect to termite rectification when buying/selling a property.
My house has steel frames so termite damage can’t affect it.
Steel framed houses are just as likely to suffer a termite attack as timber framed houses and under some circumstances, frame damage can occur.
My house is on a concrete slab so it will be ok.
Concrete slabs do not provide more protection from termite damage than timber framed flooring.
My insurance will cover the cost of repairs.
Home and contents insurance does not cover termite damage to the timbers in a building. Home or Building Insurance will not cover the repair costs of any timber damage caused by termites.
The builder will be held responsible for any termite damage.
The Building Code of Australia provides that builder’s obligations only go so far as to provide termite protection for the structural components in a home. But the code does not exempt the builder from liability in the event of damage to fixtures and fittings.
Termites aren’t a problem in Melbourne.
Termites are prevalent in moist sandy soils, like beachside suburbs especially where underground water is present but clay and other soils are also quite susceptible. In Melbourne, there is a pattern of termite activity along the Yarra river basin. But they can attack anywhere and no suburb is immune.
Did you know that every year over 650,000 Australian homes are invaded by termites
Termites only attack older buildings.
Termites have been found in buildings as early as four days after construction. Every building containing wood is a potential target of termites. Chemical or mechanical barriers can be established in the construction stages to prevent or discourage termite infestations in new homes.
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Since most termite-related damage to timber occurs from subterranean termites, preventative measures rely heavily on the establishment of barriers to stop the termites getting into the premises or timber from the underlying soil.
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