Timbor Treatment
A preservative that is highly toxic to wood-destroying insects and fungi, as well as preventing infestation when properly applied; yet treated wood is non-toxic to humans or animals.Tip: One 6-gal. pail of powdered concentrate makes up 27 gal. of mixed product, or enough to cover 1950 sq. ft. This is enough to coat the exterior of a log house about 30 ft. x 50 ft. with 9-1/2 ft. sidewalls.
Mix Tim-bor at the rate of 1 lb. (1 loosely packed quart) to 1 gal. water. Wood must be clean and bare; free of dirt, wax, and surface finishes and above 40 F. (surface temperature). Apply Tim-bor at the rate of 1 mixed gal. per 50 sq. ft. of wood surface. Apply a second coat 4 to 25 hours later. Thoroughly soak cut ends. Coat the logs with a water-repelling finish after applying.
Tip: If caulking checks; why not apply some Tim-bor under the backer rod in the checks? That way if moisture occurs, the Tim-bor is there to work for you.
Liquid Bora-Care
This liquid solution helps to promote diffusion quicker and deeper in dryer wood. It treats the outer shell of the wood. Borates are not “fixed preservatives”, they mobilize whenever the wood’s moisture content is high enough to support the decay of fungi. If you have an existing termite problem, we recommend an immediate application of Bora-Care. Liquid Bora-Care is often used in conjunction with the Impel Rods. After drilling holes for the rods, fill the holes with the liquid solution and let is absorb into the wood. Then insert the rods and then spray the whole are on the outside with the Bora-Care. This will get Bora-Care deep in the wood immediately and provide the necessary moisture to activate the Impel Rods.
How does Bora-Care get into the wood?
When first applied, the Bora-Care solution coats the surface of the wood. Within minutes the active ingredient penetrates the surface of the wood. Bora-Care then begins to diffuse or move throughout the entire piece. How quickly diffusion occurs depends on wood species, moisture content and environmental conditions.
Preservative Diffusion: How it Works
Impel Rods depend on moisture to work. When moisture contents reach levels suitable for decay attack (i.e. around 25%), Impel Rods slowly dissolve and being to diffuse throughout the wood.
The rate and extent of diffusion is mainly dependent upon the wood moisture content. The preservative will migrate into the areas of highest moisture, which are also the areas at highest risk from fungal decay. Generally, higher moisture contents result in more rapid diffusion. Diffusion is also more rapid along the wood grain and in wood where decay is present than across the grain. Remedial treatments can effectively stop decay up to 12″ from the site of application in relatively short periods of time. At moisture contents of 60%, borate preservative can migrate 10 inches in only 8 weeks. At 30%, this distance may take 4-6 months. Nonetheless, preservative diffusion from Impel Rods will adequately control fungal decay, which attacks wood at a much slower rate.
When moisture levels drop below about 25%, the preservative becomes dormant and provides a reserve ready to reactivate should decay-conducive conditions reoccur. See Diagram 4 for an illustrations for this diffusion process over time.