One of the elements that would damage your construction easily is a termite infestation. While there are many methods of termite treatment, one of the best options for your property is preventive solutions. There are different methods for termite infestation prevention, with most of them used during the pre-construction of your building. Physical barrier treatment techniques are some of the most effective and virtually toxic-free solutions for the protection of your building from termites. These techniques are used for termite control in Salt Lake City to keep termites from the wood in your construction and maintain your building’s integrity. The physical barriers are integrated into your building’s structural elements and create a continuous and complete barrier against termite infestation. Here are the physical barriers used for termite protection:
Termite Membranes
These are thick and flexible polymer sheeting impregnated with an insecticide that lasts for about 50 years. As such, termite membranes are both chemical and physical termite solutions that are quite effective for the protection of your building. The insecticides used in termite membranes include deltamethrin and bifenthrin, which are toxic and highly repellent to termites. The membranes are generally installed before your building’s framing and extended across your wall cavity and through the brickwork.
Termite Collars
The service points, including the phone, electricity, and drainage lines, will create several penetrations for termites into your building. The pests will ordinarily travel up the pipes and cables of the service lines and into your house. The use of termite collars will avert the risk of these pests using the cables and pipes in your building. The collars are made of solid plastic and are placed before concrete is poured in.
Termite Foam and Sealants
These are products that provide flexible protection for awkward gaps in your construction. Termite foam and sealants are used to fill gaps in your concrete building, which might be the weak point through which pests can access your property. Termite foam is a type of filler foam that is poured into the gaps. Termite sealants are plastic membranes that cover those gaps. Termite foam and sealants are installed after the installation of the framing and the laying of bricks.
Metal Capping
Metal termite caps are used on subfloors and brick piers under suspended wooden floors. The caps can also be installed through masonry walls and brick piers where they will force termites to the exterior. However, the metal capping should have a corrosion-resistant coating and be installed with minimal holes. This is because the rusting and holes will form a breakdown of the metal capping and be the weak point through which termites will gain access to your building.
It might seem obvious that a physical barrier will simply stop termites from entering your building. However, the physical barriers mentioned above work in conjunction with other construction elements. They are designed for the prevention of a concealed termite infestation in your property. This means that to get into your property, the termites have to become visible. As such, you will be able to notice them and intervene appropriately.