Non-Pressure Preservative Treatments for Exterior Woodwork of Buildings

Water supporting decay of wood buildings in the South comes from the soil or from rainwater seeping into joints, therefore, if these sources of moisture can be eliminated, wood will not decay. If wood cannot be kept dry it is necessary to use a wood preservative or the heartwood of such decay-resistant species as cypress, redwood, or cedar. Where a building is designed to eliminate all wood-soil contacts and to minimize rain seepage, simple preservative treatments give worthwhile protection in regions of moderate to heavy rainfall. Good moisture repellents are quite effective in preventing wetting of wood by periodic showers. A 15 minute or longer soak in 5 percent pentachlorophenol or 5 percent pentachlorophenol plus a water repellent showed no decay after 13 years exposure in southern Mississippi. It is expected that copper naphthenate at a concentration of 2 percent metallic copper will give equally good protection. Siding may be treated after placement on the building by spraying or brushing with a preservative. Better treatment will result if the lumber can be treated before placement.

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