How to choose a wood preservative

Recommendation points

• Classification
• Types of antiseptics
• Anti-rot and insect coverings
• Whitening compounds
• Purchase and application of formulations

Wood is a popular building material, the disadvantages of which are flammability and low biostability. Wooden houses need protective treatment with high-quality antiseptics and other chemical compounds. In this article we will try to figure out the choice of wood preservative.

Classification

By the type of base, protective coatings can be paint and varnish, impregnating and mastic. By the period of action – for temporary protection or long-term prevention. According to their protective properties, they are divided into the following groups:

• I – decorative and finishing;
• II – moisture resistant;
• III – bioprotective;
• IV – fire retardant (fire retardants);
• V – weather resistant;
• VI – chemically resistant.

There are also complex compounds with several protective properties, for example, fire-retardant. However, many experts are critical of universal antiseptics, believing that in order to obtain the best effect, it is necessary to use a combination of targeted agents..

The choice of wood preservatives is determined by the conditions of its use..

Types of antiseptics

Anti-rot and insect coverings

A fungal infection can be recognized by a change in color and destruction of the structure of the material, the presence of mycelium. The conditions for rotting wood are temperatures from +5 ° C, high humidity, oxygen access to the material and the presence of fungal spores. This type of protection is most important for structures that are exposed to atmospheric influences, or operated in rooms with high humidity. The principle of operation of bioprotective compounds is to destroy fungal spores. For this purpose, use hard-to-wash or indelible primers and pastes, deep impregnation.

Options in the economy segment can be SENEZH Ecobio or SENEZH Ultra, DREVOSEPT Maxi, Yaroslavl Antiseptic KhMF-BF and FBS-211, WOODMASTER Biosept. Some of these treatments can give the wood a greenish tint..

Among antiseptics of a different price category, BELINKA Base, NEOMID 430 Eco, Tikkurila Euro Eko Wood are positively characterized. The main differences between analogue products are mainly in the chemical composition: in the content of toxic and other environmentally unsafe substances, the intensity of odor, etc..

Standard antiseptics usually have a warranty period of 3-5 years. It is during this period that active construction comes to an end, after which there is usually no need to prevent the occurrence of rot. In the future, moisture-proof varnishes, enamels and azure will play an important role in protecting wood from waterlogging. Today, a wide range of such coatings is presented on the market, choosing from which, pay attention to the period of protective action declared by the manufacturer, the required number of layers, application technology and color palette for tinting.

Despite the fact that most of the commercially available bio-protective compounds simultaneously act as protection against insects, the use of special insecticides, for example, WOODMASTER “Antizhuk”, will be required for the affected timber. Signs of damage to wood by insects are the complete or partial absence of a solid wood element under the bark, the presence of passages and characteristic holes.

Whitening compounds

To remove blue and gray fungal color from the surface of wooden structures used outdoors, as well as to restore the natural color, bleaching compounds are used. For example, NEOMID 500, SENEZH Neo and SENEZH Effeo are effective in bleaching wood. The tablet form of antiseptics, for example, TIKKURILA Homeenpoisto in tablets diluted in water, proved to be milder in removing fungal plaque..

Due to the special temperature and humidity conditions in steam baths and saunas, it is recommended to process wood by applying special heat-resistant compounds. In the product line of almost every manufacturer of wood preservatives there is a worthy place for impregnation and coatings in baths and saunas: SENEZH Sauna, BELINKA Interier Sauna, NEOMID 200 and many others.

Fire-retardant coatings combine the function of fire retardants and bioprotection: they increase the fire resistance of structures, transferring wood to a group of hardly combustible materials, and serve to protect against decay and mold. They are represented by a wide range of names from various manufacturers, the most popular of which are SENEZH Ognebio, NEOMID 450 and the products of CJSC Antiseptic, for example, the composition of MS, the drug KhMXA.

Purchase and application of formulations

When purchasing antiseptics, consult with a specialist, focus primarily on the combination of price and quality of the product, estimate the consumption of the composition per 1 sq. m of the covered surface. Do not buy for future use: paints and varnishes cannot be exchanged and returned, and for most antiseptics, freezing should not be allowed during storage.

Read the coating guidelines on the label and follow the general guidelines. Since wood of various species has a different ability to absorb antiseptics, in order to increase the penetration depth of protective compounds into hard-to-absorb species (for example, spruce and larch), the surface should be pre-prepared by pricking (creating holes in the wood to a certain depth).

Wood processing should be carried out under positive temperature conditions (optimally above + 5 … + 10 ° С) on a dry and clean surface. For layering applications, observe the recommended overcoating interval.

The main methods of application:

• surface treatment with a brush, roller or spray gun in several layers;
• soaking in a bath (for a deeper, up to 3 mm, impregnation);
• preliminary heating of wood followed by soaking (impregnation depth – up to 10 mm);
• under high pressure.

Observe safety precautions when working with toxic substances: apply the composition in a mask or respirator, goggles, gloves with a tight-fitting long cuff. Ensure good ventilation when working indoors.

Antiseptic compounds are your helpers in the construction and repair of wooden structures, but their action will not be able to prevent the devastating consequences caused by design and operational errors. So, improperly organized drainage and waterproofing from roofs, condensation on multilayer structures with incorrect placement of insulation and vapor barrier will cause excessive moisture in the wood, and an inoperative ventilation system inside floors and attic rooms will not allow removing excess moisture.

The use of healthy wood, protected with antiseptics, and operated in optimal conditions, will prolong the life of your building and save your budget.