The Place of Water Repellents in the Preservative Field

Discusses advantages of water-repellent preservative solutions in protecting millwork items from dimensional change, fungi, and wood-destroying insects. Tests were made of untreated material and material treated with water-repellent and straight preservative solutions, and results compared. Pentachlorophenol, tetrachlorophenol, and 2-chlorothophenylphenol, totalling not less than 5 percent by weight, normally constitute the preservatives used in these clean, non-swelling water-repellent preservative solutions. Tests reported here were on blocks of 2 by 6 by 2 inches of various species of wood dipped on one end for 3 minutes in a water-repellent solution. The other end was left untreated. End grain blocks were exposed to a water spray for 100 hours in a wet-dry cycle consisting of 8 hours under spray and 48 hours air-drying. The treated half was free of checks, discoloration, and fungi stain, while the untreated half was badly stained and checked. A 3 minute dip in water repellent preservative appears satisfactory in treating millwork items. After 8-1/2 years, wood sash and frames treated for 3 minutes in a water repellent were flush and tight at sash, joints and dado joints of frame. Untreated were open in some instances as much as 3/8 inch at dado joints and 1/8 inch at sash corners.

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