Boron Timber Preservation

Boron Timber Preservatives are generally painted or sprayed on where the timbers within a building have been subject to decay: dry rot, wet rot, or woodworm infestation.

Boron is a naturally occurring inorganic element which is very effective at preventing and eradicating fungal and insect attack in timber.  It is water based, has very low toxicity (actually being required in the human diet at low levels), and low environmental impact.

Traditional timber preservatives penetrate just below the surface (approximately 5mm), whereas Boron, in effect, migrates to the areas at greatest risk of wood decay.  As it is mobile, Boron follows the moisture gradient, where the risk of decay is at its greatest.

Dry Rot

Dry rot seriously affects the strength of timber: it is therefore imperative that, firstly, the affected timbers are removed and replaced (if necessary, using a Timber Resin Splice method), and that the source of the damp (rising or penetrating) has been eradicated.  Any remaining timbers in high risk areas (eg joists bedded in the masonry), if they are to be retained, should be treated with a boron preservative.  Dry rot fungus can travel along other non-timber material, such as masonry & plaster; therefore, the areas surrounding the infected area also need to be investigated.

Wet Rot

As wet rot is less invasive than dry rot, removal of the source of damp and the affected timbers may suffice.  High risk areas of timber should however be treated with a boron preservative.

Woodworm Infestation

Where woodworm infestation is particularly severe, Boron preservatives may used, due to the preservatives ability to penetrate deep through the timber.  However, it would be more common for us to use an insecticide treatment when dealing with a woodworm infestation.

We provide an insurance backed guarantee for all remedial timber works carried out.