1st Edition

Timber Decay in Buildings The Conservation Approach to Treatment

By Brian Ridout Copyright 2000
    256 Pages
    by Taylor & Francis

    256 Pages 16 Color & 60 B/W Illustrations
    by Taylor & Francis

    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.

    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.

    Biography

    Brian Ridout

    'I recommend the book to anyone who works with wood in buildngs, not just to those who work on their fabric. The book clearly covers everything that can cause decay in wood in this country and even extends warnings against what might do so if global warming increases!' - Conservation News