Wood Preserver
Wood preservative is applied to timber to protect the wood from rot and woodworm. Most wood preservers are applied in an industrial setting, although home usage is common for items such as furniture and garden fencing.
Chemical Wood Treatment
There are many types of chemical wood treatment, with each having a different application. It is important to take the final application of the timber into consideration when choosing an appropriate timber treatment as some are not suitable for external use.
Natural Wood Treatment
There has been research into types of natural wood treatment, although these treatments are not yet as effective as chemical wood preservers. There are trees which are naturally resistant to rot, although this does not provide full wood protection. Heat treatments are becoming more popular, although this reduces the elasticity of the wood.
Application Methods
High pressure and vacuum treatments are common industrial methods of applying wood preserver. In the home brushing or spraying can be used to apply wood protection, although the wood preserver will not penetrate the timber as deeply as in industrial techniques. This means reapplication of the wood treatment will be required roughly every five years.
Woodworm and Rot
Wood preserver is important as the effects of woodworm and rot can be devastating. The structural integrity of buildings can be compromised, and timber may need replacing. This is a huge cost compared to the price of a timber treatment.
Wood preservatives are ineffective once an infestation of woodworm and fungus has occurred. Expert help is recommended if dry rot, wet rot or woodworm is detected although there are some home treatments which can be applied.
Woodworm Treatment
Woodworm treatment first involves identifying the species which is infesting the timber. Woodworm treatment ranges from painting or spraying the surface of the wood with an insecticide, to drilling and injecting the insecticide into the wood. Infestations can be difficult to stop, particularly in species with long life cycles, which is why it is important to prevent an attack occurring.
Rot Treatment
Rot treatment consists of discovering the source of damp, as fungus cannot grow without a source of water. Once the damp is removed, both wet and dry rot should clear up if the timber is allowed to dry. In the case of dry rot it is recommended that there is masonry sterilisation of surrounding building materials as it is able to spread quickly through the structure.
Creosote
Creosote is the traditional wood preservative, which is very effective and applied in most railway sleepers and transmission poles. However, creosote is a carcinogen and its use is being phased out in favour of chemical wood treatment.
Timber Treatment Safety
Wood preservers can be toxic to humans, so safety precautions are necessary when handling any given timber treatment. Different treatments have different safety issues, so it is important to always read the label before applying any wood treatment.