Timber Pest / Termite Pest Inspection

Importance of a Timber Pest Inspection in Sydney for Property Buyers

Timber Pest Inspections Sydney Wide – Includes Termites, Timber Borers and Wood Decay Fungi inspections.

Sydney’s climate and environment place it in the second-highest risk category for subterranean termites, making timber pest inspection in Sydney a necessity. Many homeowners, builders, designers, and tradespeople underestimate the risks of termite pest inspection in Sydney, assuming that modern infrastructure provides protection. This, coupled with our more relaxed building codes (compared with the tropical regions of Australia) one could argue the ‘actual risk’ is just as high. This is especially true with older-style buildings that were constructed with limited consideration for subterranean termite attack. Sydney is the ‘first colony’ with the highest number of old buildings and the largest geographical spread. The city is ‘hemmed in’ by the Great Dividing Range to the west, bodies of water and national parks to the north and south, and the Pacific Ocean / Tasman Sea to the east. With nearly 5.3 million residents, the city is interspersed with pockets of bushland, national parks, rivers, and parklands. The abundance of established Eucalypt trees (for nesting), moisture, and exposed timber like trees, logs, and unprotected timber buildings, make Sydney a ‘Termite’s Paradise’.

A  ‘Timber Pest Inspection’ in Sydney is strongly recommended as part of any building investigation. This applies to homes, villas, townhouses, units, apartments, and commercial properties. Perhaps the exception to the rule might be new ‘high-rise’ units on the upper levels of ‘concrete towers’. Keep in mind that Subterranean Termites are used to traveling vertically up very tall trees and will often ‘climb’ the full height of any structure in an apparent attempt to gauge the size of the timber resource. We commonly find them in the ‘apex of the roof frame’ and termites can gain access to buildings many stories above ground level.

As part of a ‘pre-purchase’ or ‘pre-sale’ building & timber pest inspection, we look at all the conditions relating to timber pest attacks. Timber pests include (subterranean) termites, wood borers, and wood decay fungi (wood rot). Timber pests are common in all types of properties and can undermine timber structures, create safety hazards, and cause significant economic damage.

All homes contain timber elements that could be vulnerable to attack from timber pests. The CSIRO states that approximately one in five Sydney properties contain some form of termite activity (historical damage or active termites).

If you’re planning to buy, sell, or maintain your property, scheduling a timber pest inspection in Sydney is a wise decision. Please call our office today at 0488 900386 or Book Online for a comprehensive inspection

“What is a Timber Pest?”,
“Timber pests include Termites, Wood Decay Fungi (wood rot) and Timber Borers. They are considered pests because they weaken timber structures, such as decks, handrails and roof, wall and floor frames, floor boards etc. These pests can weaken timber structures to the point of collapse, posing serious structural problems and possible safety hazards. The damage they cause can be invisible to the untrained eye, often only manifesting later down the track when renovating or after part of the building fails. It is important to note that all Sydney properties are at risk of termite attack. Termites are the cause of the greatest economic losses of timber in service in Australia. Independent data compiled by State Forestry and the CSIRO shows 1 in every 5 homes is attacked by termites at some stage in its life. More recent data would indicate that this is now as high as 1 in every three properties. Australia’s subterranean termite species (white ants) are the most destructive timber pests in the world. The CSIRO rates Sydney as the second highest risk zone for termite attack in Australia.”

“What is a Pest Inspection?”,
“A Pest Inspection, officially known as a Timber Pest Inspection is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED and looks for four very important things: 1) Subterranean Termites or evidence of termite activity and damage as well as any previous Termite treatment. 2) Timber borers or evidence of timber borers and damage. 3) Wood rot (wood decay fungi) damage and potential safety hazards in timber structures such as rotten timber steps, handrails and balconies. 4) As well as any conditions that may be conducive to Termite attack or wood rot.”

“Do you carry out Building and Pest Inspections on Saturdays?”,
“Yes, we carry out building and pest inspections on Saturdays. There are no additional charges for inspections carried out on a Saturday”

“I have a new house on a concrete slab. Is my house at risk of termite attack?”,
“Many home owners assume that a concrete slab and external brick walls prevents termites from accessing their home. This is untrue. Termites can gain access over the slab edge and can travel through brick mortar joints and weep holes in external brickwork. They also gain access through cracks in the slab and slab penetrations such as plumbing and electrical wiring. Often homes built on concrete slabs (slab on ground construction) are brick veneer with soft-wood timber wall frames. This timber is located close to ground level and is easily accessed and readily consumed by termites. If the concrete slab edge of the slab is concealed by concrete paths, patios, pavers, garden beds, lawns, foliage, etc then it is possible for termites to gain concealed access into wall frames. They can then cause extensive damage to concealed framing timbers. With a concrete slab home it is imperative that you expose the edge of the slab and ensure that foliage and garden beds do not cover the slab edge. Weep holes (gaps in brickwork designed to drain water from the wall frames) must be kept free of obstructions.”

A Timber Pest Inspection in Sydney is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED and looks for 5 very important things:

1. Subterranean Termites or evidence of termite activity and termite damage as well as evidence of any previous Termite treatment. (Very Important)
2. Timber borers or evidence of timber borers and damage.
3. Wood rot (wood decay fungi) damage and potential safety hazards in timber structures such as rotten timber steps, handrails and balconies.
4. We report on any conditions that may be conducive to Termite attack or conditions that can cause wood rot.
5. We also make termite treatment recommendations and rate the overall risk of Termite attack.

What is a Timber Pest?

Customers often ask “what’s the difference between a Pest Inspection and a Timber Pest Inspection”?  We use both these terms interchangeably to mean the same thing. The official terminology is ‘Timber Pest’. To be clear we are not reporting on the occurrance other daily pests like Cockroachs or rats, we are concerned only about pests that are capable of causing structural timber damage in buildings, like termites, borers and fungi.

Timber pests include Termites, Wood Decay Fungi (wood rot) and Timber Borers. They are considered pests because they weaken timber structures, such as decks, handrails and roof, wall frames, floor frames, floor boards etc. These pests can weaken timber structures, posing serious structural problems and possible safety hazards. The damage caused is often invisible to the untrained eye. Without detecting such problems, unforseen costs and hassles can occur.

When Should Sydney Buyers Arrange a Pest Inspection?

Don’t leave it untill the last minute. Book your building and pest inspection as soon as you know you are seriously interested in a particular property or are ready to proceed with the property purchase.

When you private purchase a Sydney property and exchange contracts there is usually a 5 day ‘cooling–off’ period. During this time, you have the option to cancel the contract providing you give written notice.

Many Sydney buyers arrange a Pest and Building Inspection during the cooling off period. It is recommended however, that you arrange the inspection before you exchange contracts as this gives you ample time to digest the information and the ability to adjust your offer based on the inspection findings.

Auction properties may already have a report available with the contract of sale. Due to the innate nature of ‘human bias’, we strongly recommend conducting your own due dilligence and engaging Sydney PrePurchase to do an independant pest and building inspection – well before the property goes to auction.

NB. A cooling–off period does not apply if you buy a property at auction or exchange contracts on the same day as the auction after it is passed in.

Often Sydney property vendors arrange Pest Inspection with our firm. We provide copies of these pest inspection reports to prospective buyers at a discounted rate.

More information on prepurchase inspection reports can be found at the NSW Department of Fair Trading website.

We strongly recommend that Sydney property buyers carry out a Combined Building and Pest Inspection to provide you with full insight into a property. We are available to carry out Building and Pest Inspections Sydney wide from Monday to Saturday.

Contact Us today to Book a Pest Inspection