A Timber Pest Inspection covers biological activity that adversely affects ‘Timber in Service’ ie, timber that has been seasoned (dried) and is in use for the purpose of building structures and fencing. A timber pest inspection involves the thorough testing and sounding of all accessible woodwork on the property. Starting at the boundary and working inwards into the roof void and onto the roof. Probing and tapping tools are used in conjunction with a moisture meter to test for damp areas which are more favourable to timber pests.
Other tools are also used as a back-up to finish off and confirm the findings of the timber pest inspection. Tools such as Thermal Imaging devices, Termatrac (microwave motion sensing device), Boroscope (optical device for looking into cavities), stethoscope for listening for sounds of termites working within cavities and other such useful devices. These tools are back up tools and should never replace the thoroughness of the timber pest inspection as defined in Australian Standard AS 4349.3 “Inspections of Buildings. Part 3: Timber Pest Inspections”.
