Structures
Whether you are designing, building, or already occupying a structure you don’t want leaks. Luckily, most structures today are built to stop water and energy leaks.
But now, installing the waterproofing in the building envelope can stop termite leaks. This combination waterproofing | termite barrier is Polyguard’s TERM Barrier System.
Termites and other pests find their way into buildings from the outside. They penetrate through the building envelope – namely through the ground level slab, foundation walls, and above grade exterior. Water penetrates the building envelope through cracks, joints, or gaps in the envelope. So do termites, insects and other pests. That’s why it’s important to have both a waterproofing system with a built-in insect barrier.
Source: University of Georgia
Most insects are foraging, searching to find a way inside. They seek a warm and dry place to live, protected from predators, with food nearby. Most buildings fill all three of these needs and thus present an attractive target. Termites, however, are a special problem. According to Pest Control Technology Magazine, termites cause $5 billion per year in damage across the US.
Termites are tiny (1/50 inch) and numerous (colonies range in size from 10,000 to several million). they can chew through many construction materials, and they reproduce at an amazing rate. A single Formosan termite queen can produce over 10 million offspring over her 15-year life.
By using TERM Barrier in the waterproofing portion of your building envelope, and incorporating a half-dozen minor new details, you can exclude termites and other pests almost completely around the envelope.