Cryptocurrency

Have you taken the plunge into Cryptocurrency? We have all heard of the number one most popular Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and many others have entered the market, Ethereum, Litecoin, Doge to name a few. But what is Cryptocurrency and why does it have such an elusive name? Cryptocurrency was originally for military applications. The use of cryptocurrency is basically a digital asset that is not controlled by any bank. The encryption technique used to secure the transactions makes it almost impossible to steal or double pay an entity. With no government control, it provides the next generation of paying for items and by-passing the expensive transfer rates and transaction costs that banks charge.

The word Crypto means Secret. Interestingly enough, wood-eating cockroaches are from the family Cryptocercus. Termites evolved from the Cryptocercus cockroach as they too are wood-eating insects, but they are also eusocial and know how to work together as a colony to evolve (1). Termites are the highest order of hard-working, most successful insect groups on the planet. Yes, they can be considered “Crypto” as they are hard to detect until immense damage is committed on a building.

TERM Barriers are here to help. We at TERM have 21 years of science-based research at 5 southern universities all located in the deep termite areas, where finding a termite is easy and its “when” not “if” a termite will find you first.  When designing a structure, start with a good foundation, one that is designed to not only keep water/air/moisture out, but also pests and insects. Termites are the most invasive insect and the tiniest. Designing for this termite exclusion only takes a few extra steps and not too much more money. There are several products that we make here in Texas to keep these pests out:

New Materials:

TERM Sealant Barrier – caulk and trowel grade, single component product will seal off all pipe penetrations and gaps on the top of slab level.  Termites and other insects cannot chew, eat, or penetrate the sealant (use in lieu of stainless mesh cast in concrete around pipes)

Weep Screens – stainless steel termite screen,  melt-welded to plastic weep tubes, installed by the mason in lieu of traditional weeps, prevents all insects from entry at this very vulnerable spot.

Particle Barrier – Precisely sized stone particulates installed 4” out and 4-5” deep around any exposed face concrete slab or pier, thus blocking entry to structure from sub-terranean termites.  Termites cannot bite, chew, move aside or crawl through these particles.  Can be installed post or pre-occupancy by a Pest Management Professional.

Improved Materials (that prevent termites biting and gaining access while excluding water, air, moisture and termites):

TERM Sill – Adhered to the top of slab before sill is attached, protecting the sill from termites. When run long into the wall cavity, the TERM Flash can be lapped over creating an ever tighter seal against air/moisture/termites.

TERM Flash – Through-Wall Flashing Membrane – self-adhered flexible flashing with termite sealant built into the membrane.

TERM Underseal – Waterproofing Membrane – fully adhered underslab pre-installed waterproofing for commercial or residential use (requires trained applicators).

TERM Foundation Waterproofing– peel and stick Waterproofing Membrane – post applied, self-adhered waterproofing with termite sealant built in.

TERM Window/Door flash tape – also for Sheathing Board Seam Tape – 40 mil self-adhered tape with termite sealant built in.

Many a joke has ended with “when the world ends, the cockroach will still be alive”, well I would also bet the termite will still be chewing away as well.

Visit our website www.polyguardbarriers.com or contact us for more information on AIA approved CEU’s, and advice on how to protect your next project. 

1. Termite – Wikipedia