| | Figure 4: In this case the concrete pad is at the bottom and termites must expose themselves to get to the cinderblock. |
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| | Figure 5: The concrete slab above the brick will expose any termites getting through the mortar on their way into the house. |
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| | Figure 6: The solid concrete slab with a termite shield ensures that termites will have to expose themselves. |
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Figure 4 shows that concrete pads are similar in that the termites need to tunnel around the concrete to get into a structure, thus giving you the opportunity to detect the infestation easily. Solid concrete pads also easier to treat since only the soil around the perimeter of the pad needs to be treated and not the interior of the pier. The concrete pad must be solid with no cracks or holes and extend above the level of the soil.
In figure 5, this brick pier sits on a solid concrete chain wall and has a solid concrete cap. Two thumbs way up!
Figure 6 represents the winner for best pier goes to solid concrete. For ease of inspection, treatment, and durability there is no better selection.
Treatment:
Trench and treat the soil around all four sides of each pier.
Inspection:
Examine all four sides of each pier for shelter tubes.
Given a choice I would build a pier and beam house with solid concrete piers with at least 2 feet of clearance underneath.