The termite or white ant can cause massive destruction to a home if undetected, however an annual termite check performed by our experienced termite inspectors can help protect your home from these unwanted pests. If termites are found early enough, then the extent of damaged cause by the colony of termites is often significantly reduced. If you are concerned about termites in your home or just need to book your annual white ant inspection, contact DedAnt for help.

Where Do You Check for Termites?

A termite inspection is a comprehensive inspection to all accessible areas of the property, yard and the home building structure.  A report detailing findings will be issued following the inspection.  The termite inspection and report complies with Australian Standards.

What Happens if You Find Termites?

If termite activity and damage is found, your Technician will provide you with treatment options to suit your situation and budget. This may include the installation of a chemical termite barrier.  See more information on the barrier here.

Your Inspector will also provide recommendations on further investigations and repairs that may be necessary.

Protect your property today and avoid the bigger expense, contact us to arrange your inspection today.

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Termite proof wood

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Everyone knows that termites eat wood. This is because termites need to ingest cellulose to live, which is found in wood. So is there any termite proof wood out there to keep your house safe?

In truth, no wood is completely “termite proof”. But there are some woods that are termite resistant, meaning that termites will stay away from these woods and avoid them.

Still, it is important to know which woods can best resist termites.

Treated wood

Treating wood with chemicals is one of the most common ways people termite proof their homes.

It is most important to have treated wood closest to the ground, as termites generally come from the ground and climb up into your home.

Cedar

Cedar is a type of wood that is naturally resistant to termites. This is because it has allelochemicals that act to repel termites.

However, termites will cedar if they are hungry enough, particularly if it begins to rot. This is why you should always make sure to know if your house is experiencing dilapidation.

Oriented strand board

Oriented strand board is made up of thin wood strands and adhesive.

The presence of the adhesive makes this wood resistant to both decay and to termites.

Redwood

Redwood is naturally resistant to termites. This is because redwood naturally acts as treated wood.

A redwood tree in the wild. These trees are resistant to termites.

Cypress

Cypress wood is naturally resistant to decay and to termites due to its natural durability. In the wild, cypress trees generally suffer very little damage when they are alive.

However, once this tree dies, termites will eat away at it like they would any other decaying wood.

No wood is completely termite proof

While some wood is termite resistant, it is not simply a matter of choosing these woods for your house and never worrying about termites again.

Termites will travel around these types of woods and find other wooden parts around your home they can eat. They will eat skirting boards, window frames and subfloor around treated wood.

Alternately, termites will find a breach or crack in treated wood and eat the inner portions of the timber which are not treated.

Termites eating a wooden structure from the inside.

Termite proofing

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of termites in your own home.

However, the best termite proofing is with a chemical barrier and regular inspections.

It is suggested that every home in Australia should have a termite management system and get annual inspections done. By the time you notice an infestation, major damage may already have been done.

Dedant uses Termidor to create a chemical barrier, which acts to poison and kill termites over time, destroying the termite nest at the source. It is completely undetectable to termites and they will unknowingly become poisoned and spread this poison to the nest.

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

Safety hazards from around the home

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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.

Brisbane Property Market and Coronavirus

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If you’ve looking to buy or sell, you likely want to know more about the property market and coronavirus. Namely, how is the coronavirus impacting the property market in Brisbane?

While there is much to be negative about in the current climate, it is worth looking to the future and seeing that there are several positive signs that point to a strong recovery once the crisis slows down.

In this blog, we will go through the short- and long-term implications of the virus on the property market.

The short term negatives

In the immediate future, times will be tough for anyone involved in the property market.

Because of the economic recession, a massive spike in unemployment, the impact of social distancing and restrictions on travel it is clear consumer confidence generally has plummeted.

This lack of consumer confidence is also found in the property market. Westpac has recorded the single biggest monthly drop in confidence in their 47-year history.

Not only that, but the crisis has seen many foreign residents and tourists return to their home country in recent weeks. This has negatively impacted the short-term rental market.

Banks are also not as willing to lend, as people’s ability to pay back loans are uncertain due to the volatility of the job market.

Overall, the slump in the market should be expected to continue for some time to come.

The present may look bleak, but things will improve.

The long-term positives

In the long term, the prognosis for the Brisbane property market and coronavirus begins to look more positive.

There is every reason to believe the market will bounce back from this slump once the curve has flattened and restrictions are relaxed.

For one thing, once people can get out of the house again, people will want to travel. While international travel will be out of the question, interstate travel will be very appealing to many.

This will give the Queensland economy a much-needed boost.

During previous downturns, such as the one experienced in 2018/2019, Brisbane weathered these negative conditions better than most.

It was the first capital city to record growth in the June quarter of 2019, while many other capital Melbourne and Sydney suffered a drop in dwelling prices in that same period.

As such, it is likely Queensland will recover strongly.

The current climate should not stop you from looking ahead to the future.

This is not permanent

While things may look bleak now, it is important to remember this crisis will pass.

Now is the perfect time to begin projects you have long put-off or to address problems that you have otherwise ignored.

One such problem you might seek to address is protecting your home from pests.

Dedant offers quality Building and Pest Inspections as well as termite barriers for affordable prices. We also observe social distancing and take measures to protect our clients from coronavirus.

Call us on 07 3807 0122 or contact us on our website to find out more.

pest inspection cost

Annual Termite Inspection Cost

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Annual termite inspections are a necessary part of protecting your home. However, many people hold off on getting an inspection because they are concerned about the cost. In truth, the cost of an annual termite inspection is nothing next to the dangers of a termite infestation.

We have written this blog so you can better understand what goes into the cost and why it is necessary.

Australian Standards recommends every Australian home should get a termite inspection a minimum of every 12 months.

Termite inspection information

Termite inspections are generally done once a year on the timber of your property. It is conducted on all accessible areas of the property.

A report is compiled for you with our findings and if damage from termites is found, we will provide you with treatment options.

What influences the annual termite inspection cost

The cost of the service starts at $250. However this cost can be influenced by the size of the property and how accessible the property is.

pest inspection cost

Termites can do serious damage to your home, as seen above.

The cost of doing nothing

While $250 a year is not a small sum, the cost of doing nothing is far steeper than the annual termite inspection cost could ever be.

For instance, termites can do major structural damage to your property. They love to eat away at the wooden frames of houses.  They can also chew walls hollow from the inside out and eat around door hinges.

Even steel frame houses are not immune from harm because termites travel up steel frames to find other wooden parts of your home.

If left unchecked, the damage from these pests can easily reach into the thousands of dollars.

Above all, the most important way to avoid termites is by being vigilant. By getting an annual check-up, you can avoid the risk of paying massive amounts to fix damage and get rid of large, built up nests. It is always easier to wipe out smaller nests.

If you want to help reduce your risk of termite infections, you can read our two blogs on the subject – 5 DIY Tips for Keeping Out Termites and The Best Ways To Stop Termites.

termite inspection cost

Get your annual timber pest inspections done now.

Who to trust for annual termite inspections

Dedant Building and Pest Inspections specialise in finding and treating termite infestations. We use the latest technology and training to ensure that termites are found.

We treat termites using a chemical barrier. This barrier is made with Termidor, an chemical agent that wipes out the termites at the nest.

Unlike other chemical barriers, this one cannot be detected by termites, ensuring they don’t avoid it and are thus more likely to spread the poison.

For more information, check our website for information on Annual Termite Check and the Chemical Barrier.

Afterwards, these inspections are followed by an easy-to-follow report that includes pictures of the tell-tale signs of a termite infestation including damage and mudding.

Dedant services Brisbane, Logan, the Gold Coast, Moreton, Ipswich and the Scenic Rim.

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

4 Tips For A Clean Home

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With Coronavirus keeping us all in doors, everyone has a bit more time on their hands now. Having a clean home is more important now than it has ever been.

By spending so much time in your home, you might start to notice every little fault. Every stain, every bit of clutter and every odd smell will suddenly become very apparent to you.

If you’re looking for something to do that is both productive and helpful, you might consider developing new habits to keep your house neat and spotless.

As such, we have come up with four tips you can practice to have a neater, clean home.

1)  Purge the clutter

The first thing you should do if you have a messy or cluttered house is get rid of unused items. These take up vital space.

It has been said that we only use 20% of the stuff we own and 80% of the stuff we own is either unused or kept for purely sentimental reasons.

You don’t need to get rid of every bit of the remaining 80%, but you should definitely start from there.

Clutter can make your home less appealing and more likely to spread illness.

2)  A place for everything

One of the main reasons people have clutter is that they just leave things around the house and never bother to put them anywhere.

You might leave your shoes on the ground somewhere or leave cups in the lounge room or books just put down wherever you were reading them, never to be picked up again.

If that’s the case, then you should make sure you have a place for all these items. Get a shoe rack, make cupboard space dedicated to cups and get new bookshelves to put all your books in.

Once you make this space, dedicate yourself to always putting these items in their correct spot.

Bookshelves can be a vital way to save space in the home.

3)  Get proactive

Another big reason people have messy or dirty houses is because they allow problems to get too large.

Often, grass gets too long to mow or there’s too much grime in your shower to bother cleaning or a mess is simply too time consuming to clean up, so we simply will not do it.

That’s why it’s so important to get proactive and address these problems before they start.

Mow your grass before it gets too long and spray shower cleaner every few days to stop grime from building up.

Although it can be annoying at first, building these good habits up will help you stop problems before they start.

4)  Annual pest inspections

Not only are pests like termites a major risk to your home, they can be a major cause for mess as well.

For one thing, they leave black track marks in their wake called “mudding” which is their droppings.

They can also build nests inside your home which can become disgusting eyesores.

Termites can also eat through cardboard boxes or wooden bookshelves, which can ruin your attempts to make good use of space.

Getting annual pest inspections can prevent pests like termites from ever becoming a risk.

Book with Dedant Building and Pest Inspections now – we offer quality services at an affordable price.

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

By following these tips and booking your annual pest inspection, you can have a clean home in no time.

How to recover from termite damage

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We’ve written at length about the major risk that termites pose to your home and the best ways to keep termites out of your house. By the time a homeowner discovers an infestation, termite damage will have already occurred.

As such, we’ve put together a helpful guide to help you address termite damage.

Can my home recover from termite damage?

In short, yes.

It is rare that termites will cause enough damage that the house is completely beyond repair. It would take years and years for an infestation to cause a house to be uninhabitable.

However, even a short termite infestation caught quickly can leave considerable damage – walls and floors can be left warped, doors and cupboards can fall off the hinges, and furniture can be damaged.

Make sure all termites have been treated first

There is no point in fixing the damage done by termites unless the infestation is completely gone. Otherwise termites will simply return and continue to eat away at your home.

As such, you should contact a pest control expert prior to fixing damage.

Book with us today and get a Termite management system.

Identify all damage done

Whether you hire an expert or assess it yourself, it is important to find all the places where the termites did damage.

Structurally compromised wood left unaddressed can threaten the stability of your home into the future.

To be safe, it is preferable for you to hire an expert who can do a check of your home.

Call an expert to fix the termite damage

If you notice major structural damage left over from a termite infestation, you should contact a builder as soon as possible.

Signs of major damage include small holes in the wood around your home or a darkening of the colour of your wood. If you hear a hollow sound in your timber of your home, this is another tell-tale sign.

After calling a pest control expert, calling a builder should be your next step.

Dilapidation-report-brisbane

Dedant can assess the damage done to your home by a termite infestation.

DIY fixes to minor damage

For minor, cosmetic damage done by termites, you have the option of fixing this yourself.

If you lack the skills to completely remove and replace a piece of damaged wood, there are other ways you can fix the damage done.

You can scrape away damage timber and replace it with fillers. Alternately, you can add new pieces of wood placed adjacent to support the damage wood.

Stop the infestation before it starts

When it comes to termites, prevention is the best treatment.

Dedant can build a chemical barrier that protects your house from termites for 8 years. This, combined with annual or bi-annual inspections, can ensure you never get a serious termite infestation in your home.

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

Real estate and Coronavirus

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The effects of COVID-19 have profoundly impacted industries like real estate, building inspection and pest control. While the lockdown is expected to last for at least a few more months, it is worth asking – what is the link between coronavirus and real estate?

To examine what could become of industries like real estate, as well as building and pest control, we must first look at what the current situation is.

The current situation

The real estate industry is fortunate as compared to other industries, as it has not had to fully shut down.

Similarly, businesses closely tied to real estate, like building and pest inspection companies, are still operating also.

Many industries have had to change because of coronavirus and real estate is no exception. Agents have taken to using virtual tours to sell homes.

In the building and pest inspection industry, businesses are taking careful steps maintain health and safety such as staff-only inspections.

Given the current economic situation, low consumer confidence and high unemployment, both these industries have seen downturn.

Sites like these are common all over the world – completely empty streets

Shifting priorities

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clearer now than ever before that our homes are our most important possessions.

Most people are now confined to their homes. For some people, this is a blessing.

However, for others this may cause a yearning to move somewhere new once restrictions are lifted.

Real estate websites are recording a double digit increase in the amount of people looking at homes to buy.

Home inspectors who conduct pre-sale and pre-purchase inspections are no doubt holding out for a wave of new buyers.

For others, spending so much time stuck inside may bring attention to faults in their home. Such faults include rot, dilapidation and damage from pests such as termites.

The future

One thing is clear, once restrictions are lifted everyone will be eager to get out and experience all the things they’ve been missing.

Given the record low interest rates and a surge in people seeking new places to live, this suggests that industries like real estate will bounce back strong.

And whenever real estate is strong, the building and pest inspection industry is strong too.

The housing market will bounce back. It’s just a matter of time.

Don’t wait.

Now, more than ever, it is important to have a clean and safe home.

Dedant Building and Pest Inspections is still open for business. If you have a termite infestation that needs treating or require a barrier, act now.

Contact us at our website or call on 07 3807 0122.

review-building-inspector-brisbane

How to spot a dodgy pest inspector

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If you think you’ve got a pest infestation in your home, such as termites, you should immediately contact a termite inspector. However, one thing you can’t afford is a dodgy pest inspector.

However, knowing which pest inspector to contact can be difficult.

Just googling “pest inspector” can give you thousands of pages of results, some legitimate contractors and others who will fleece you out of your money for sub-standard or even no work at all.

As such, we have put together a guide that will help you avoid dodgy pest inspectors and find quality contractors.

 Check for reviews

Reviews can often be a good way to determine the quality of a tradies’ service.

Google can be a handy tool for this – Google will feature the reviews of any business you search up, like so.

Many glowing reviews and a high score suggest the business is quality.

Searching online is one of the easiest ways to find reviews for a pest inspection service

Request to see licenses

If you’re still unsure after checking online reviews, you can ask about the licenses the business has.

For building inspections, they must have finished the ‘Completed Residential Building Inspectors Course’ certification. Prior to getting this certification, a person must be a licensed builder with 5 years’ experience.

Inspector must be licenced by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). See more information here.

Pest Inspectors require additional training. For qualified pest inspectors like Dedant they are have attained a Certificate IV Workplace Health & Safety, Termidor HE Accreditation Training, Termatrac T3i Accreditation, Asbestos Training, Meth Testing training and other relevant training in this field.

A dodgy pest inspector would not have such a wealth of training and qualifications, by comparison.

By assessing the qualifications of a prospective pest inspector, you can determine whether they offer high calibre service.

Make sure to get a quote in writing or digitally so you have a record of what service you are getting for what price.

Get a written quote

Getting a quite in writing is a vitally important way to protect yourself.

If you rely solely on a verbal quote you may run in to trouble if a disagreement occurs. It will then become a matter of your word versus theirs.

By getting a quote in writing, you have evidence of what work is being done, for what price. There is no ambiguity.

For pest inspections you can trust

If you want to avoid dodgy pest inspectors, there’s one name you can trust in South East Queensland.

Dedand Building and Pest Inspections has provided quality services since 2009. They are fully licensed to conduct pest inspections, treat termites and build termite barriers.

Dedant has a 4.6/5 average on Google reviews and they are more than happy to provide you with a written quote.

Give Dedant a call today on 07 3807 0122 or contact us on our website.

plan a sustainable garden

Moving into a new house? Plan a sustainable garden.

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More people than ever are embracing green living. If you’re looking to live a greener, cleaner life, you should plan a sustainable garden.

With this garden you can build an edible landscape and literally enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labour.

Why Sustainable gardening?

Building a sustainable garden where you can grow fruits and vegetables has so many benefits.

By growing your own food, you know it is safe and healthy for your family to eat.

In the long-run, sustainable garden may even save you money. Eventually you will find that you recycle your produce into self-made compost and avoid spending hundreds of dollars a week on grocery.

plan a sustainable garden

What your sustainable garden may look like.

Building your sustainable garden

Coming up with a plan to build a sustainable garden takes thoughtful use of space, resources and specific plants.

Choose a space that has quality soil with good sun exposure and access to plenty of water. Your crops are plants should be suited to the season and climate.

If you don’t choose the right plants, they will not be healthy and will attract pests. Growing native, climate-appropriate plants will also make your garden easier to maintain.

Look out for pests

One of your biggest concerns should be dealing with pests, such as termites.

Choosing to incorporate plants like chili into your garden can be a natural deterrent to pests without using pesticides. Chilies also have the benefit of being edible and delicious.

You should keep your garden some distance away from your property – termites move from the soil of your garden to your home.

Hiring a qualified pest inspector to assess your property annually is vital to ensuring the long-term health of your garden.

garden pest.

Ants, termites, snails can destroy your garden overnight. Be diligent against them

Sustainable gardening as part of a thriving property

A sustainable garden is a great way to make a new house into a home that you love.

Alongside this sustainable garden, you should think of other ways you can make your home safer and more comfortable.

When planning to buy a home, quality pre-purchase building and pest inspection is essential.

With the peace of mind that your home is safe and pest free, you can be certain that your sustainable garden is growing in the best environment.

Dedant Building and Pest Inspections offer unbeatable service at reasonable prices for areas in and around Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast.

Call now on 07 3807 0122 or contact us through our website.

 

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How Termites Get Into Your House

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If you’ve kept up with our blogs, you probably know by now the dangers of a termite infestation. However, many people still wonder how termites get into a house in the first place.

We’re going to explore the many ways termites can enter into your home.

Piles of wood

Piles of lumber or firewood can attract termites. If these piles of wood are close to your home, a termite can easily travel from a piece of wood to your home.

Without food, termites cannot travel too far. Make sure to keep piles of wood away from your house, or stored safety somewhere termites cannot get to.

Dead trees and foliage

Termites love dead and decaying trees because they are easier for the termites to chew through.

Leaving dead trees in your yard is a sure-fire way to invite termites into your home. This applies to stumps as well. You should remove any dead trees or stumps from your yard as soon as possible.

Tree branches

Even living trees pose a risk of housing termites.

This is because termites go from tree branches to anything that the branch is touching. If you have a tree that has branches touching your room, termites will move from the branch to your roof and then go into your home.

Keep trimming branches and leaves so that no extremities touch your home.

The branches of this tree house the walls of the house. This majorly increases the risk of a termite infection

Clogged gutters

When your gutters become clogged and overflow with rainwater, this can dampen your room and cause it to rot.

This rot attracts termites and gives them a point of weakness they can chew into.

By keeping your gutters unclogged, this allows for water to travel through pipes easily and not damage your roof.

Cracks in concrete

Termites cannot eat through concrete. However, they are small enough to be able to fit into small cracks and holes in concrete.

Termites find tiny cracks in brick mortar, in the concrete foundation of your home or in concrete blocks and travel through them.

Around air conditioning units

Termites thrive on moisture. Air conditioning units create a lot of run-off moisture. As such, termites are attracted to this moisture and create colonies nearby.

The house frame

It is well known that if your house has a wooden frame, termites can eat away at it and erode the structural integrity of your house over time.

However, even if your house has a metal frame, this will not make your house termite proof. Termites travel up through the metal frame and eat other wooden parts of the house.

The timber frame of a house. Termites love to eat through the insides of these frames and leave them hollow.

What to do?

If you think you might have termites, contact an expert immediately. Do not try and handle the problem yourself.

Dedant Building and Pest Inspections do inspections, spot treatments and chemical barriers all to a high standard at an affordable price.

Call Dedant on 07 3807 0122 or contact them on their website.