Thread: What is the best method of applying timber preservative on site? Help assignment ques

you might struggle a little bit as this is predominantly an australia based forum

Welcome Sonja

Hi Sonja,

To answer your specific question about common usage in England, you may have to call some local building companies or stop by a construction site to find a sympathetic ear for your questions.

Once any pressure treated timber is cut, untreated wood is exposed and consequently prone to degradation. I always have a bucket of preservative handy which contains about 50mm of ACQ liquid when ever I'm cutting timber which will be used outdoors. The freshly cut end will be immersed in the bucket and left to stand for at least ten minutes to allow the preservative to soak into the end grain. Cross grain cuts are given several coats of ACQ before fixing.

For fence or gate posts, I then apply a couple of coats of bituminous paint to the area which will be buried and also over the top end-grain for waterproofing.

Hope this helps.

mick

Hmmm.... There will be a variety of answers, some based on real-world actual experience, others on the fact that this is a module in a trade course (for Aussies, City and Guilds is analagous to a Cert 3/ 4 pathway...). (Mick's answer is a good real-world solution...) I would imagine that the question is looking for an answer that addresses the 'on site' element, and, as in all these courses nowadays, puts a massive premium on OH&S (which is no bad thing). I would therefore expect an answer that meets the pass criteria to be something like:

"As the preservative is to be applied on site, pressure (type 2) treatment is inappropriate due to the practicalities of safely and effectively conducting pressure treatment in this environment. A type 1 application should be used: brushing or spraying cut/exposed surfaces to reduce rot and woodworm risk, using appropriate PPE for the chosen preservative."

But that's just an old academic getting his exam/test head on...

Hi Mick,

Sorry for my late reply, I apologize. Because of lockdowns we have every week an assignment to do and I am busy with following up and learning...Thank you so much for your answer. I put it in as a possible answer and chasing up with my lecturer.
Many many thanks as I appreciate your support.

Stay safe.

Sonja

Hi jpdv,

I am sorry for my late reply. I apologize. I have been busy and try to catch up with everything...Thank you very much for your answer and support. Sometimes it is difficult for me to understand the focus of these questions as I found them not specific enough...I am learning and assuming that is a cultural issue...I am coming originally from Germany and everything we do has to be precisely...also questions from tutors...that is the reason why I don't understand where my tutor is heading...
I appreciate your support a lot, may thanks.

Stay safe.
Sonja

Thank you Verawood.