SIGNS OF TIMBER PEST ACTIVITY

Due to the repeated wetting and drying of timber which alternatively causes the timber to swell and shrink, and Ultra-violet rays that break down lignin and cause degradation of wood fibre, Unprotected timber surfaces develop checks and cracks and can allow exposure of untreated interior sections of preservative treated timbers. In time this can result in surface degradation and dimensional changes in Timber. These are warping, grain-raising, cracking, splitting, surface checking, splintering and cupping.

WEATHERING EFFECTS OCCUR WHEN TIMBER SUFFERS FROM CUPPING, WARPING, GRAIN RAISING, CHECKING, SPLITTING, SWELLING AND SPLINTERING. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THIS IS THE MOVEMENT OF MOISTURE INTO AND OUT OF THE TIMBER ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH DOES OCCUR TO UNTREATED TIMBER. SUNLIGHT ALSO CONTRIBUTES.



BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OCCUR WHEN TIMBER IS ATTACKED BY BORERS, TERMITES, FUNGAL DECAY, MOULD AND ALGAE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. AN EXCESS OF MOISTURE IN TIMBER IS FUNDAMENTAL TO MUCH OF THIS PARTICULARLY FUNGAL DECAY, MOULD AND ALGAE.