Wood Protection
Wood preserver can protect timber from weathering, heat, fire, damp and insects. The most common uses are protection from woodworm, dry rot and wet rot which can all structurally damage the wood.
Immediately after a tree is felled it becomes susceptible to woodworm infestation and rot. The methods of timber storage and wood treatment are critical in preventing damage. Sapstain fungi are a particular risk at timber harvesting plants.
Wood Rot
The sapstain fungi that cause wood rot are mainly derived from two genera of fungi: Ophiostoma and Ceratocystis. It causes a deep, penetrating stain to the timber. The colour of this stain ranges from blue-black to brown. This is in contrast to other mould fungi which only cause superficial discoloration and can be sanded away.
Reducing the moisture content of wood helps to prevent fungal infection (and therefore wood rot), as without moisture the fungus cannot grow. Air drying or kiln drying dramatically reduces the risks. Most fungi cannot grow with wood moisture content below 20%. After drying the timber must be protected from damp, or the wood will be at risk again.
Wood Protection
Varnishes containing fungicides and insecticides can be used as wood treatment agents to protect against infestations of woodworm and rot, although they are ineffective once the problem has begun. Wood protection should be of a high priority, as it is much cheaper to use wood preservative than to repair damage.
Woodworm Treatment
There are various types of woodworm treatment, and usage depends upon the species of woodworm infesting the timber. Structural damage can be caused by woodworm, and it is important to use the correct wood treatment to destroy the larvae.
Rot Treatment
The most important part of any rot treatment is identifying and removing the source of damp. Dry and wet rot can both be destroyed without a source of water. Other types of rot treatment, such as fungicide and masonry sterilisation, can be used in conjunction with removing damp and can help prevent new attacks.
Wood preservative can protect timber from fire, and has the potential to delay the onset of combustion for up to an hour after the fire has begun. It can also reduce the spread of flame.
It is also possible to buy wood preservers that will protect the wood from weathering and bleaching from the sun. This is commonly used in DIY, and can be painted or sprayed onto garden furniture and decking.
A coat of varnish can protect wood from heat stains. This is particularly important on furniture, where hot items may be placed as even a hot plate may damage the wood. Heat leaves white marks on the surface of the wood.
Timber treatment can also be useful in cases of rising damp. Rising damp is usually caused by a breakdown of the damp proof course of a house, which is more likely to occur in older properties. A wood preserver known as silicone water repellent can be injected into drilled holes in the wall. The silicon spreads outwards, creating a horizontal damp proof course at the base of the walls.