How to Treat Timber Against Termites
Termites are dangerous to wood or timber because if they eat up the wood, it reduces the strength of the structure hence failing or collapsing after some time. That's why we treat timber to get rid of the termites.
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
Table of Contents
Core Concept or Idea
Step-by-Step Guide for Timber Preservation
2.1 Digging the Pit
2.2 Tying Tarpaulin Covers Inside the Pit
2.3 Mixing the Tanalith Wood Preservative with Water
2.4 Dipping the Timber
2.5 Drying Your Timber
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Core concept or idea
As a civil engineer with years of experience in building and construction, I’m going to show you an easy DIY step-by-step guide that you can use to treat timber to avoid the effect of termites. Purchasing treated timber directly from the factory can be very expensive and also difficult to transport directly to the site, and that’s why in this post I’m going to show you how I personally treat timber for every site I work on to achieve the desired results.
The method in this post is the best among all other wood preservative methods because the steps can be understood by everyone, and it is affordable by every project owner as costs to do it are very low while still achieving high construction standards as required.
Step-by-step guide for timber preservation
Preparing the Timber
When timber is delivered on site, the first step is laying it properly to avoid bending and also being eaten up by termites as soon as you deliver them on site. You will be shocked delivering timber on site today, and then the next day you find it being surrounded by termites everywhere.
And that is why it is important to lay 3 timber pieces at the bottom, spaced equally, and then lay the rest of the timber on top of the 3 pieces. The 3 pieces of timber will help out to get the rest of the timber off the ground, hence preventing bending and also preventing the effect of termites.
Digging the Pit
Once your timber is laid out and supported, the next step is to dig a pit for the treatment process. Here's how you choose the dimensions for the pit.
First measure the length of the timber you are going to treat; let’s say the timber you are going to treat is 3 m (10 ft) in length; add an extra 0.5 m allowance on both sides; then also make the width around 2 m in and a depth of 1.5 m. These measurements are not fixed as you can excavate any size of the pit depending on the timber size. When the timber is much, you excavate something deeper. Just ensure it's deep enough to fully immerse your timber in the treatment mixture.
Tie 2 tarpaulin covers inside the pit.
Line the pit with two tarpaulin covers, one on top of the other. They should be large enough to cover the inside surface. These tarps will act as a waterproof layer to hold the treatment solution; they should be tied and supported properly, as any mistake would cause the liquid solution to leak.
Mixing the Tanalith wood preservative with water
Now comes the critical part: mixing the Tanalith wood preservative. Here's how to do it:
You first pour water and then mix tanlith chemical in the water. Mix 25 litres of water with 1 litre of Tanalith preservative.
Stir the solution thoroughly with a stick to ensure it's evenly mixed.
Tanalith is a highly effective preservative for wood, used extensively to protect against termites, fungi, and other wood insects. It soaks deep into the timber, providing long-lasting protection.
Dipping the Timber
Once your preservative solution is ready, dip the timber completely in the mixture. The mixture must cover the timber completely. If the timber remains floating, place it like a heavy timber piece to make sure that all the timber intended to be treated is completely covered by the solution.
You have to place the timber carefully without creating damage to the tarpaulin. Any damage will cause the solution to leak.
Soak timber in the solution for at least 48 hours. This ensures that the treatment can penetrate deep into the wood fibres, offering the best protection. Personally, I usually soak the timber for more than 4 days to allow the solution to penetrate into the timber fully.
Drying Your Timber
After the soaking period, remove the timber and leave it to dry completely. Drying not only helps keep the timber straight but also ensures the treatment has fully settled into the wood, making it ready for roofing or other applications. Personally, I usually dry it the proper way, as it is in the image below.
This step is important as it helps bent timber straighten, whereas strait timber remains strait without bending. Lastly, roof your house.
Conclusion
Buying already treated timber might be expensive, and that’s why following the steps above will save you several thousand dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can termites attack treated timber?
Termites are unlikely to attack treated timber, most especially when you follow all the steps like in the article above.
Is tanalith suitable for both indoor and outdoor use?
Yes, Tanalith-treated timber is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
What is the importance of timber preservation?
Treating timber protects from decay, insects, and moisture, hence prolonging the life span of the timber.
Can I treat timber on my own?
Yes, simply dig a pit, mix Tanalith chemical with water, fully immerse timber in the solution for at least 48 hours, remove the timber from the pit, sundry it, and then roof your house.
How long does timber preservation last?
Treating timber can last for like a week, then treated timber can last for decades.
What is the best method of applying preservatives to timber?
What can be used to preserve timber?
Copper-based preservatives, borate solutions, natural solutions, and pressure treatment using Tanalith chemicals are all ways of preserving timber.
Timber preservation
What is the best way of timber preservation in civil engineering?
As a civil engineer with years of experience in building and construction, I believe using pressure-treated timber is the best way, though it could be costly when you are operating on a low budget, and that’s why people choose other alternatives.
What are the major 3 types of timber preservatives?
The most common kinds of wood preservatives included oil-based preservatives, for example, creosote, water-based preservatives such as Tanalith wood preservative, and fumigants, for example, sulphuric fluoride.
I also created a video on how to treat timber against termites, you can check it out on our YouTube Channel. Visit our YouTube channel here