Termites, Salt Air & Materials That Survive the Tropics
Caribbean houses often fail slowly before they fail dramatically. Termites remove timber where nobody looks. Salt removes metal from screws and connectors. Water reaches reinforcement and rust expands inside concrete. UV light destroys exposed plastics and coatings. The cheapest material at purchase can therefore be the most expensive material over 15 years.
Termites: prevention is cheapest before the slab is poured
CRCP 10:2023 includes termite treatment as part of foundation and slab construction and calls for treated timber in relevant foundation details. That timing matters. Soil treatment, durable/treatable timber selection and a design that can be inspected are far easier before floors, cabinets and landscaping hide the routes termites use.
Keep timber away from chronic moisture
Repair leaks, maintain drainage and avoid trapping untreated timber against soil or wet masonry.
Do not hide the inspection zone
Dense planting, stored boards and finished cladding can conceal termite entry paths.
Protect every cut and replacement
A treated member can lose protection where it is cut or where an untreated repair is inserted. Follow the treatment system.
Salt air: specify the connector, not just “galvanised”
Coastal exposure varies enormously. FEMA notes that metal fasteners and connectors can corrode rapidly near the ocean and recommends stronger corrosion protection, including stainless steel in severe coastal exposure. The exact specification for a Caribbean house should follow the local code, engineer and product manufacturer, but “galvanised” alone is not a complete corrosion specification.
Avoid galvanic corrosion
Dissimilar metals can attack each other when electrically connected in a wet/salty environment. Do not casually mix copper, ordinary steel, aluminium and stainless components at roof, plumbing, solar or A/C connections. Use compatible systems and manufacturer-approved fasteners.
Concrete protects steel only when it is built correctly
CRCP 10:2023 specifies concrete cover because the concrete surrounding reinforcement helps protect steel from the environment. Rebar lying against soil or formwork, poor spacers, honeycombed concrete and cracks reduce that protection. The steel may be invisible when the problem finally appears as rust staining and spalling.
Lifecycle cost calculator
Compare a cheap component that must be replaced frequently with a more durable one. This is useful for roof screws, hinges, pumps and outdoor fittings. It ignores financing and inflation so the result is deliberately simple.
Where corrosion deserves scheduled inspection
- Roof screws, clips, straps and hurricane connectors.
- Balcony and stair connections.
- Gate hinges and automation hardware.
- A/C outdoor units and brackets.
- Solar rails, clamps, fasteners and electrical enclosures.
- Water-pump electrical connections.
- Exposed reinforcement or cracking concrete near the coast.