Termite Protection in New Construction
Having a new home built is part of the American dream, and customizing the details to fit the perfect home you have been building in your mind is a fun and creative experience. Your options are endless. You can make rooms larger, add in closet space, change the cabinet finish, upgrade to stainless steel appliances, install a Jacuzzi tub, or have your bathroom equipped with a rainfall LED shower head.
The foundation of termite resistant construction is creating a barrier between the foundation, and the wood components that termites snack on. Termites travel up pipes, columns, foundation walls, and anything in contact with the ground, to make their way to the abundance of delicious cellulose found in your home. To stop them, builders install an array of plastic and metal shields on these components. You can see an example of this in the photo on the right.
While these techniques are not termite proof, they substantially lower your chance for termite damage. During a Chesterfield home inspection, I was able to observe a termite shield that was very effective. In the photo below, you can see termite tubes that hit a dead end at the shield. The tubes are dry and crumbling which indicates that the termites may have gone underground for the winter, but may return when the weather warms up. Luckily, the termite shield prevented any damage to the home.