Description
This is the first book to tackle all the issues relating to timber decay. It presents the facts and explores timber decay problems through case studies. These are illustrated with clear self-explanatory photographs for the reader to use as a diagnostic aid. Section 1 discusses timber as a living material, Section 2 deals with decay organisms and their habitat requirements. Section 3 moves on to the building as an environment for timber and discusses the ways in which wood responds to moisture change. Section 4 ends with an approach to timber decay which integrates knowledge on the decay organism, its requirements and natural predators with appropriate and targeted chemical treatments.
Table of Contents
Preface. Introduction. Part 1:What is Wood, and Why Does it decay? The Origins of Natural Durability. Factors Which Influence the Decay of Building Timbers. Insect Decay in Hardwoods and Softwoods. Fungal Decay in Softwoods. Fungal decay in hardwoods. The Control of Preservative Treatments. Pretreatments. Evolving a Philosophy for Preservative Treatments. Part 2:Understanding the Building Environment to Prevent or Restrict Decay. An Introduction to Decay Assessments. Temperature, Relative Humidity and Ventilation. Dampness in brickwork and Masonry. Drying Brickwork and Masonry and Incorporated Timbers. Moisture Content Monitoring. Fire damage. Part 3:The Holistic Approach to Decay. Case studies.
