How Termites Affect Homes

Over time, the concrete slab of a home can crack or shrink away from the foundation wall, allowing termites that have been living in the soil below to infest the wood above. In addition, there are many other points for termites to enter a home, such as bath traps, plumbing outlets, utility or ductwork and construction joints. A termite pre-treatment is applied to the soil proximal to the foundation of a new structure to prevent termites from accessing a home through slab cracks and these other points of entry.

Certain states and municipalities, where termite infestations are common, have termite pre-treatment requirements in place for new home construction.  In other areas, lenders and/or insurance companies may require a termite pre-treatment be made at the site of all new home construction. When not dictated by local regulations or lending requirements, building code authorities, designers, and builders frequently consult a termite probability map to determine if termite pre-treatments should be used.

There are many options available to builders when it comes to a termite pre-treatment, including liquid barriers, undetectable liquids, baits, physical barriers and wood treatments.  Click here to learn more about the types of products available during pre-construction to protect your home.