Timber preservation

Since timber is a natural product, there are natural elements which, during natural cycles use it as food and shelter (including humans).

There are effective ways to protect your investment, and give it more value, all this is covered in detail in the class.

Some timber needs protection from wood boring beetles and rot. This depends on the circumstances, where and how the timber is used, species, location, climate, etc.

Some timber does not require any treatment against beetles, this is discussed in class.

Personally, I do not believe in exposing myself or my family to any potentially harmful chemicals if not absolutely necessary.

Common treatments include:

CCA preservative treated timber

• CCA stands for Copper, Chrome, Arsenic, which is a timber preservative widely used in South Africa. The chemicals are forced into the timber under pressure. The intention is that they do not come out again. 
  Some timber home manufacturers actually say this stuff is safe?? You have got to be kidding me.
The USA environmental protection agency clearly states:
• As of January 1, 2004, EPA will not allow CCA products to be used to treat wood intended for most residential settings.
• Do not compost or mulch sawdust or remnants from CCA-treated wood.
• Do not burn CCA-treated wood, as toxic chemicals may be released as part of the smoke
• After working with the wood, wash all exposed areas of your body, especially the hands, thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, toileting, or using tobacco products.
• Wash your work clothes separately from other household clothing before wearing them again.
• Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and is acutely toxic.
• More information is widely available, however I prefer taking a cautious approach to CCA.
  


Wow, I'm not entirely sure that I want my family living in a home that has been impregnated with this stuff. 
I trust that all South African timber home manufacturers make potential clients fully aware of this. 
I also trust that the people working with all this treated timber follow all of these guidelines. 
Don't get me wrong, CCA is a great timber preservative. CCA Treated timber has a 35 year life span in ground contact, nothing will eat it and it will not rot, which is great, Isn't it?  

tri-n-butyltin oxide preservative

• Commonly referred to as TBTO
• On the face of it TBTO does no proven health side effects, though it kills marine life.
• To date there have not been any links with major health problems reported.
• As with all of these nasty chemicals, I figure, if it's not absolutely necessary to use them, I don't.
• For more information read Toxic and Obesogenic Effects of TBTO
  

Boron

• Boron is the only chemical preservative which I recommend.
• Boron is a natural element mined in various countries around the world.
• It is applied to wet timber and through a process of diffusion it enters the timber.
• It is toxic to insects but not to mammals.
• Boron can diffuse out of the timber if it is exposed to persistent water, therefore we use a combination of architecture and boron to preserve the home with the least toxic chemicals available
• More information is widely available, this Wikipedia article covers just about everything.