The pipe through the slab and the termite that follows it
Termite collars are cheap, small and easy to forget.
In short: Termite collars were absent from slab penetrations at a Tallawong pre-pour visit.
The weak point
Every pipe that passes through a slab leaves a gap around it. Termites travel up gaps like that, out of sight, into the wall frame above.
The fix
A termite collar is fitted around each penetration before the pour and cast into the slab, closing the gap with a barrier termites cannot cross.
What was recorded
Collars were missing from plumbing penetrations at a Tallawong slab in August 2026. The builder was asked to confirm the termite system or fit them before concrete.
The notice that goes with it
When the house is finished a durable notice in the meter box should record the system used. At one frame inspection nearby there was no notice at all.
Why timing matters
A missed collar is minutes of work before the pour and almost impossible to fit properly afterwards.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Tallawong. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
