Indoor Wood Treatment

Wood has many uses in home construction.

Wood is used extensively in buildings for interior finishes. As part of the building fabric, it is commonly used for floorboards, skirting, doors and windows. It is also the main material used in manufacturing furniture.
Some of the common problems that occur in wood are dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Dry rot and wet rot mainly affect the wooden components of a building, and woodworm affects all wood, including furniture in a building. Any wood that is affected by these problems has to be treated effectively. The quality of the wood is also further protected by using paints, stains, varnishes and waxes.

Woodworm

Woodworm is caused by larvae of wood-boring beetles and can remain undetected for many years.
Treatment is dependent on the species of the beetles, whether it is an active infestation and whether the structural elements of a building have been affected. Pesticides, freezing or fumigation are some of the treatments available.
To check whether adult beetles are responsible for holes in the wood, paint a coat of emulsion or cover with masking tape in the winter. If this has been disturbed, it will show you that you have an active woodworm infestation.
Remove all infested pieces of wood that do not support any load and if the moisture content of the wood is more than 20 percent, make sure that the remaining wood is well-ventilated.
Always consult a professional before deciding which treatment is appropriate to use.

Dry rot

Dry rot is a fungus that affects wood with a moisture content of more than 20 percent. It also affects other materials in a building and can therefore easily cause structural damage.
The first step towards treatment is to eliminate the source of moisture in the building and improve ventilation if possible. Then replace all affected areas and treat the remaining wood with a fungicide.

Wet rot

Wet rot is also a fungus that thrives on a consistent high moisture content in the wood. It can cause structural damage if left unchecked over a long period of time. First eliminate the source of moisture and allow the wood to dry out. Then make sure that all structural damage has been remedied before treating the wood.

Wood stains

Interior wood stains are used to protect and enhance the natural grain of the wood. Before the wood is stained, strip away all old finishes and patch up areas that have chips and cracks. You can use wood fillers that are water or solvent based. Following the grain of the wood, sand down the surfaces to get an even and smooth surface. Finally prime, seal and stain the wood to a color of your choice.

Wood varnishes

Varnishes are transparent top-coat finishes that protect wood from exposure to light and everyday wear and tear. They are categorized into shellacs, lacquers and polyurethanes. They can be applied over wood stains or independent of them. Shellac and lacquer varnishes are mainly used on wooden furniture, and polyurethane varnishes are used on harder wearing interiors such as flooring.

References

• Our property: Woodworm
• Safeguard Europe: Woodworm
• Safeguard Europe: Dry rot
• Wise property care: Wet rot
• Wood Kote: Wood finishes