Safety hazards from around the home

Our inspectors at Dedant have seen all manner of houses. There are several common safety hazards that we have found through the years that you should watch out for.

These various defects range from minor to potentially life threatening.

We will go over some of the more prominent ones with you.

No railing on stairs

Every set of stairs need at least one hand railings.

This is because even a small staircase is a major tripping hazard.

More serious trips can cause broken bones, sprains, cuts or potentially even death if you strike your head.

With a handrail to grab on to, you can potentially save yourself from major injury or death.

If you are lacking handrails on any set of stairs, seek to rectify this immediately.

An example of stairs without a hand rail.

Loose railings

One of the more common safety hazards is loose railings.

Loose railings on stairs or balconies are another safety issue that is all too common in houses.

They can potentially break or give way if any weight is put on them. This creates a fall risk.

You should have this addressed immediately.

A loose rail on a balcony.

Uneven pathway

Uneven tiling or brickwork, where some parts stick out into the air and others remain flat, is another major safety issue.

This is because it creates an uneven ground that acts as a trip hazard.

Instead, surfaces should be as smooth as possible to prevent trips, slips and falls.

A raised surface in a residential blog.

Lift off hinges for toilets

The Building Code of Australia specifies that toilet doors should be easily removable.

This is because toilets are often very small rooms where accidents are prone to happen.

In the event someone falls unconscious they may fall against the door and make it difficult to push open.

Thus, lift off hinges should be used instead. Such a hinge would allow for someone to lift and remove a door easily, even if it is blocked from the other side.

This is the sort of room you’ will need lift off hinges in.

Leaning fence

Having a fence with a lean is a major safety issue.

A fence that leans could fall at any given time and potentially injure you or a family member.

Fences tend to lean as a result of rot or stumps becoming dislodged from the ground.

You can stop a leaning fence from getting worse by bracing it with wooden posts to hold it up.

However, this is only a temporary measure and you should seek to fix or replace your fence as early as possible.

Some examples of fences that are dangerous due to leaning.

For inspections and reports contact Dedant

For Pre-Purchase and Pre-Sale Building and Pest Inspections, contact Dedant.

We conduct thorough inspections and give you an easy-to-read report that goes over all major and minor issues.

To inquire, message us on Facebook, get in touch through our website or call on 07 3807 0122.

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The types of inspection reports

People can have many different reasons for wanting an inspection report. They may be buying, selling, renovating or concerned an infestation or potential building fault. You should know exactly what inspection reports are available to you and what these reports mean.

When you know how to property interpret the findings, you can make the best possible choice moving forward.

Standard Building and Inspection Report

Standard Building and Pest Inspections are conducted when you are selling your house, purchasing a new property, prior to renovation or for other reasons.

These inspections looks for faults which are listed in reports as either “major”or “minor”.

Major structural defects are issues that require immediate attention. These include termite damage, water leakage and a lack of handrails of stair.

Conversely, Minor structural issues include cosmetic or slight defects that do not threaten your safety or require immediate action. For example, minor issues include peeling paint or partially covered weep holes.

If you know the difference between minor and major issues, you can focus your money and effort onto.

An example of peeling paint.

Dilapidation report

Dilapidation inspection reports examine the buildings surrounding a renovation.

As such, a dilapidation report involves two inspections, carried out before and after renovations commence.

The first report looks at the condition of surrounding homes before any work is done while the second report looks to see if any damage was done to these same houses.

As such, this Dilapidation Report will protect you from litigation, as neighbours may claim that pre-existing faults were caused by your renovations.

Renovation Report

A renovation report will reveal what parts of the house are structurally safe and which are not. All buildings must comply with the relevant building codes.

Renovations in progress for a home we looked at.

 

New Build Handover Reports

New Build Handover inspections look at faults in a recently constructed home you are hoping to buy.

With Dedant you will always get a fair report because we’re independent from your building contractor.

Furthermore, Dedant’s inspectors have had years of experience as builders before entering the building and pest inspection industry. They know what errors to look out for.

A New Build Handover Report looks at major and minor structural defects and make sure everything is up to the standard you expect.

Contact us today

If you’d like to book any of the inspection services mentioned in this blog, or consult to find out which report is most relevant to you, contact us on our website or on 07 3807 0122.

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5 Questions to ask before your Building and Pest Inspection in Brisbane

Getting advice on a building and pest inspection in Brisbane can be difficult. It is difficult to know what questions to ask.

Consequently, we have created a list of 5 questions for to ask a pest inspector over the phone, to help you find the a dedicated professional.

1) “What are your qualifications?”

You never want a trades-person who is not qualified. Dodgy tradies are a real problem and you should always be on the lookout.

One of the easiest ways to determine a legitimate pest inspector from a fake is to ask for their qualifications.

All building inspectors must have completed their Residential Building Inspectors Course. Prior to completing this, they will have already had 5+ years of experience.

Furthermore, only a licenced Pest Controller can conduct an inspection. These licenses come from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

Only once you’ve verified an inspector has all these things should you continue.

2) “What is involved in the inspection process?”

The process can vary significantly depending on the service you seek. It is important to know exactly what steps are involved in the inspection process.

For example, Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspection involves a visual inspection for structural defects, moisture detection and a thermal imaging scan.

Inspectors will then tell you what will be inspected – the interior, roof space, exterior, sub floor and roof exterior, as well as structures within certain bounds of the property.

Thermal imaging, sometimes used in building inspections.

3) “What is the cost and how is this determined?”

Knowing how cost is determined can help you get a fair price for the service.

For example, Dedant Building and Pest Inspections start charging $350 for a Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspection.

However, this can vary depending on the size of the property.

4) “What will happen after the inspection?”

The specifics of what will occur after an inspection is completed will vary from contractor to contractor.

However, you can be sure to receive a report on the status of your home.

This report will contain the findings of the inspectors. Quality reports, like those provided by Dedant, will contain photographs and a summary for quick reference.

Make sure your property is accessible and free from obstructions before pest inspectors come.

5) “What can I do to prepare my home?”

You should also ask what you can do to prepare your home for the inspection.

Generally, you will be asked to remove any obstructions to the home to allow inspectors to easily access it. Also, you should ensure distractions such as pets are kept away.

However, every inspection is different and you should always ensure you make the process as easy for inspectors as possible.

Contact us today

If you are looking for a Building and Pest Inspection in Brisbane, look no further than Dedant Building and Pest Inspections.

Dedant offers a range of services conducted by fully licensed and experienced professionals. See our website for more information.

For more information call us on 07 3807 0122.

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5 Winter Pests To Prepare For

As we move toward June and the start of winter, it is worthwhile to be mindful of winter pests that can lurk around your home in the cold months.

When seasons change, various animals change their behaviour to cope with these conditions. Preparing early for changing seasonal conditions will make keeping your home pest free that much easier.

As such, we have put together this blog to help you know what types of pests to prepare for before winter begins.

1)     Mice and rats

Mice and rats are warm blooded animals. That means they will seek out places of warmth and shelter that have food.

Unfortunately, your home fits that description purposefully.

These rodents will hide in your walls, near warm pipes, in ceiling insulation or in areas like basements.

Rats can spread disease, eat away at electoral wiring and even raid your kitchen if left unchecked.

To treat a mice or rat infestation, consider getting baited traps. Alternately, you may wish to get a cat, which are very good mice catchers.

2)     Bed bugs

Bed bugs, unlike many other forms of insect, do not hibernate during the winter. Instead they remain active.

Bed bugs also are attracted to a similar temperate range as humans. Thus, our bodies are their favourite host. Once they attach to humans, they suck our blood and cause itchy bites.

They attach themselves to clothes such as jumpers or hide in our bags. They are most known for attaching themselves to blankets and doonas and living in our beds, hence their name – bed bugs.

winter pests

What bed bugs look like.

3)     German cockroaches

German cockroaches are a breed of cockroach that like to find warm places to procreate in the winter.

Your home, which is both warm and containing plenty of food, is a prime place for this breed of cockroach to hide.

German cockroaches are an introduced species not native to Australia, but they are a particularly difficult try and get rid of.

However, getting rid of them is an absolute necessity. Cockroaches spread disease and can contaminate the food in your home.

4)     Termites

Termites are active all year round, so you must be as vigilant against them in winter as you are in summer.

These pests will eat away at the wood within and around your home if left unchecked. If any termites are found, do not disturb them and instead contact pest control experts.

5)     Overwintering pests

Overwintering pests are those that will use your home as a place to hibernate in the winter.

Although they are not active during this time, they will become active once the weather heats up again.

Such overwintering pests include flies, ladybugs, moths, mosquitos, caterpillars, stink bugs and crickets.

If you see any of pests hibernating in your home, it is best to remove them before they awaken and continue to threaten your property.

While ladybugs don’t need to worry about snow here in Australia, they will still hibernate in the cold

Contact us today

Dedant offers comprehensive pest control services to deal with any infestation you might have.

Contact us on our website or call today on 07 3807 0122 to inquire.

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How to protect from fleas and ticks

Fleas and ticks are generally thought to thrive in the humid conditions of summer. However, some breeds of these pest are most active in winter. Thus, you should always have a plan to protect from fleas and ticks.

Regardless of the season, fleas and ticks will seek out a warm place to burrow, whether that be your home, your pet, your clothes or even your skin.

As such, we have put together a list of 4 tips you can use to protect from fleas and ticks.

1)     Treat your pets

When they bite, ticks can spread diseases that are fatal to cats and dogs.

As such, you should regularly comb and provide year-round flea and tick protection to your pets.

Your most reliable option is to get some form of oral or topical treatment.

Oral treatments are a form of ingestible pill that protect your dog from fleas and ticks. Topical treatments are applied to the fur or skin and are available to both cats and dogs.

Ultimately you should research and consult a veterinarian to determine your options.

2)     A clean and tidy yard

Another important step to protect your home from fleas and ticks is to make sure your whole property clean and tidy.

Ensure your grass is mowed regularly, keep shrubs and bushes trimmed, prune any trees and keep any new plants as far away from your home as possible.

Similarly, clean up food scraps to ensure that wild animals are not encouraged to enter your yard and bring any fleas or ticks they might have on them.

Taking these steps will limit the places fleas and ticks can hide. It will be far harder for them to attach themselves onto your pets or your clothes if they cannot get close.

3)     Regularly clean in the inside of your home

Despite your best efforts, it might still be possible for teas and ticks to get into your home. Thus, you should regularly clean the insides of your home too.

You should start by regularly vacuuming your carpets, rugs, couches and rugs. Wash your pets’ beds in hot water regularly to kill any eggs and larvae that may be attached to it. The same should be done to any soft, fabric toys used by your cats or dogs.

4)     Contact Dedant

Dedant can perform full inside and outside treatments for pests including fleas and ticks.

By identifying the exact type of termite or tick, Dedant can apply the correct treatment to stop them. Their expertise at getting rid of pests makes them second to none.

To find out more, contact Deadant on their website or call on 07 3807 0122.

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Health impact of an unclean home

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4 Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish

Silverfish are a pest that can be very bothersome. Though they are not a generally health risk, you should still seek to get rid of silverfish.

This is because they can damage household goods, property and get into your food supply.

These pests feed on starchy material and protein-rich items. They eat away at books, textiles clothing and stored away foods such as grains, vegetables, cereal, and dried meat provisions.

As such, we have put together this helpful guide to assist you in getting rid of these pests.

1)     Keep food sealed away

When dealing with pests, prevention is always the best method of treatment.

Keep easy to reach food such as cereals, dry cat/dog food and pasta in airtight containers. Make sure cat goods and properly closed also.

By depriving silverfish of their food source, this lowers the risk of them infesting your home.

It is especially important to protect food sources at night, as silverfish are nocturnal.

2)     Remove places for silverfish to hide

Like most household pests, silverfish rely on having places to hide around the home. They also use crevasses and cracks to enter in and out of your home.

Thus, you should seek to cover up these little hiding spots.

Silverfish also like to feed on and hide in old papers, books and magazines. Getting rid of excess clutter like old boxes of magazines can work twofold to deny silverfish their meal and hiding places.

3)     Reduce moisture and humidity

Silverfish are drawn to moisture and humidity. Thus, you should do all you can to deny them these conditions.

Make sure to fix leaky pipes, ensure you do not have tripping taps and ensure your bathroom is well ventilated. You should also keep gutters clear to ensure you do not get excess water overflow.

Another way to fight humidity is using dehumidifiers in key places where silverfish are likely to congregate, such as storage rooms, pantries, garages and basements.

4)     Call Dedant to get rid of silverfish for you

Silverfish are incredibly hard to get rid of, if you do not have the proper training, experience, and equipment.

This is because they can live for up to 8 years and reproduce rapidly.

As such, your best course of action if you find a sizeable silverfish population in or around your home is to contact the experts.

Dedant offers a General Pest Treatment which treats not only silverfish, but spiders, ants and wasps too.

Call Dedant on 07 3807 0122 or contact us on our website.

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4 Ways To Remove Spiders From Your Home

remove spiders

Spiders are among the most bothersome and disliked pests that you can find in your home. As such, many people often want to know how to remove spiders from their home.

In truth, while they may creep out and disgust many people, spiders are an important part of the ecosystem. They eat smaller bugs like ants, flies, mosquitoes and moths that can transmit diseases.

Regardless, it is completely understandable not to want them around your home. Thus, here are 4 ways you can keep spiders from your home.

1)     Destroy any webs you find

Spiders construct webs to catch and eat their prey. These webs become an eyesore and a hindrance in your home.

As such, you should take a broom or vacuum and destroying any webs you find around your property.

By doing this, you are instinctively warning the spider that the area is not safe, which will force them to move on.

remove spiders

Spiderwebs can be big or small. Regardless of size, you should destroy any found in your home.

2)     Get rid of hiding places for spiders

Spiders love having places that they can hide in. They will take advantage of any nook and cranny they can find.

As such, you should get rid of any cutter in or around your home. Chaotic piles of strewn items are perfect places for spiders to hide.

We have previously published a blog about this very subject. Read it here.

Likewise, you would also benefit from sealing up any cracks or crevices around the home, which spiders may enter through or hide in.

3)     Turn off the lights

Bugs are attracted to light. Spiders, meanwhile, are attracted to bugs.

Lighting in and around the home, particularly at night, draws a great deal of bugs. This causes spiders to build their webs close to these same sources of light in order to catch as many bugs as possible.

Keeping light usage to a minimum will both save you electricity and make your home less of a target for bugs and spiders.

remove spiders

The redback is native to Australia and is one of the most dangerous on Earth. If you see one, call an expert immediately.

4)     Contact the experts

If you see a spider in your home and are concerned, you should immediately contact a pest control expert who can remove spiders that are found.

Australia is home to some of the most dangerous and venomous spiders on Earth, so it is better to be safe than sorry when dealing with any arachnid.

Dedant Building and Pest Inspections offer General Pest Treatment which will kill spiders along with a host of other creepy crawlies.

Contact Dedant Building and Pest Inspections through our website today or call us on 07 3807 0122.

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Tips for building and pest inspectors during Coronavirus

coronavirus tips

The coronavirus pandemic and necessary lockdown restrictions have been difficult, not least for those who work as tradespeople. Our list of coronavirus tips for building and pest inspectors will help you cope during this difficult time.

Beyond the economic hardship that is affecting everyone, rules around social distancing and limits on the number of visitors to a house have made it difficult for people in industries like pest and building inspection to do their job.

However, we have put together a list of tips to help building and pest inspectors stay float during this time.

1)     Keep up to date with current rules

One of the most important coronavirus tips we can all follow is to stay informed.

It is vitally important to keep up with all the latest information regarding coronavirus and current restrictions.

Your best sources are The Australian Government website or the website for your state government. For Dedant Building and Pest Inspection, as we are a Queensland-based company, we defer to the Queensland Government Website.

By knowing and following the latest restrictions, you will protect yourself and your business from fines worth thousands of dollars.

In these difficult times, the last thing you need to worry about is paying a fine.

coronavirus tips

Coronavirus, also called COVID-19, has changed out world.

2)     Observe good hygiene

While good hygiene has always been important, it is now more necessary than ever to take every precaution in the workplace to stop the spread of coronavirus.

At Dedant Building and Pest Inspections, we have made a strong commitment to helping fight coronavirus.

Firstly, all staff members both on the road and in the office must wash and sanitise their hands often. Our inspectors are also supplied with gloves and masks.

When inspecting a house, we always make sure to observe social distancing. Furthermore, we make sure we follow current guidelines around the number of visitors to house at once.

We will not inspect any house if an occupant is unwell or under quarantine, nor will we allow any sick inspector to work.

It is recommended that all businesses follow similar protocols.

coronavirus tip

We should all be washing our hands with soap

3)     Focus on services that are most appropriate

All businesses must take steps to adapt to the current climate.

Savvy businesses will tailor their advertising to services that are easier to conduct during lockdown.

For example, Dedant has prioritised advertising termite inspections and barriers on its social media and through blogs.

This is because the amount of people seeking pre-purchase inspections, new build handover inspections and dilapidation reports is very low now. However, the threat of termites remains even during a pandemic.

Other building and pest inspectors should consider similar actions to tailor their service to the needs of the moment.

To find out more about Dedant Building and Pest Inspections, contact us by our website or call us on 07 3807 0122.

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4 Ways to Remove Rats From Your Home

Rats can be a major household hassle if left unchecked. As such, you will want to remove rats as soon as you find them.

This is because rats are carriers of disease, can eat your food and damage your home.

As such, we’ve put together a list of top 4 tips to help you get rid of rats you find on your property.

1)     Get a cat

One way to help get rid of rats and mice is to get a housecat.

Cats are carnivores and love to hunt wild prey, such as rats and mice. For thousands of years, humans have used cats to hunt for rodents and they are still great for this purpose.

Along with the bonus of 24/7 pest control, adopting a cat also gives you years of companionship

remove rats

Cats have been used bu humans to hunt pests for thousands of years

2)     Rat Traps

Traps are a relatively cheap and effective way to catch rats.

They can be left in an area for a long time if necessary but should be checked often. This is because a dead, rotting rat can attract bugs and other pests.

Traps come in many forms – snap traps, live traps or glue boards.

Glue boards are the least effective trap, as it is essentially a board with a sticky substance on it. Rodents can pull themselves free from this trap. It is not recommended you use these.

Snap traps are wooden/plastic boards with a metal spring loaded bar that snaps down quickly when pressure is put on the pad. These humanly kill the rats.

Live traps present a hole for rodents to climb into. Once they climb through this hole, they find themselves in a box that closes shut. That way, the rat is trapped but still alive.

After this, you can release the rat somewhere away from your home.

Set traps in areas where rats might be, including hidden areas and near crevasses where rats may be hiding. Make sure to keep children and pets away from any traps.

remove rats

Rodents are among the most destructive household pests.

3)     Rat Bait

Bait is another may to deal with rats and can compliment your trap strategy.

Adding bait to traps will make rats more likely to get caught.

Alternately, use poisoned rat bait. This does not require you to use traps at all.

Instead merely leave the poisoned bait out there and the unsuspecting rodent will eat it and die.

Make sure to not expose pets or kids to this poisoned bait.

4)     Contact the experts to remove rats for you

If you are not confident about doing these measures yourself, Dedant can install safe and locked bait stations to catch and kill these pests. These are effective against rats and will help keep kids and pets safe.

Not only that, but Dedant is able to determine exactly what type of rat is on your property and the most effective pest control method.

If you believe you might have rats, call now on 07 3807 0122 or contact us on our website.

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