Timber iQ December 2018 - January 2019 // Issue: 41 | Page 42

FEATURES
As a living, breathing material, timber requires regular maintenance.
Timber TLC
We delve into why wood maintenance is essential in ensuring the
longevity of your beloved timber.
By Candace Sofianos King
A
s with any living, breathing organism, timber requires
tender love and care in the form of regular
maintenance for its lifetime. The most damage to
timber is caused by UV light. While certain products on the
market boast UV absorber and reflector properties, with
time the sun does get through to the timber and starts to
attack it.
“Water also has a detrimental impact on timber because
if it is able to penetrate an unprotected area, it will cause
the wood to swell and then crack which then causes more
unprotected areas that water can penetrate from. High heel
shoes, dog’s claws, furniture and aggressive cleaning agents
also damage timber,” highlights Peter Ryder of sealant and
coating manufacturer Rystix Timbacare.
According to Frikkie Greeff, managing director of wood
care and maintenance specialist Woodoc, both indoor and
outdoor types of damage may be controlled by proper
preparation of the wood, using the right product to seal it
and applying the chosen product strictly according to the
manufacturer’s specifications.
Maintenance methods vary greatly considering where the
timber is going to be used; the type of traffic that the
40 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 //
surface will endure if it is a walkway; the species of timber
used; and what previous coatings have been applied to
the wood.
Best practice is to start with the right treatment, advises
Greeff, adding that preparation of the substrate (wood) is
the cornerstone of successful treatment. He adds that one
should always follow the application instructions provided
and use the right product for the right application.
Ryder adds to the discussion, stating that timber should
be coated with a good quality sealer that will effectively
penetrate and seal the timber, while still allowing the wood
to breathe. Preparation, application, and using the right
product are all essential irrespective of what timber type
you are treating, notes Greeff.
LOVE YOUR TIMBER
The biggest challenge that one would face when
maintaining wood is knowing when maintenance is required.
The most important tip is to not let the timber degrade too
far before doing maintenance, says Ryder, adding that, “All
See more on page 42
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