Preserving teak

Mr. A. Djuana, in his letter published in The Jakarta Post on July 23, 1994, has found that the teak timber in his house is not immune from attack by white ants. Teak was considered to be permanently resistant to marine borers like the toredo worm but maybe white ants are made of sterner stuff.

In Europe the oldest timber preservative is creosote. For instance, railway sleepers pre-soaked in creosote have lasted more than 100 years. Cuprinol and the products of Rentokil, applied by pressure treatment or spray, are also effective and do not have the strong smell of creosote. I believe Rentokil has an Indonesian operation.

Diesel fuel applied by paint brush is a cheap useful wood preservative and it can be mixed -- 10 percent to 25 percent -- with used lubricant. Like creosote, the smell remains strong for years but is unnoticeable in a closed roof space.

COLIN FOOTE

Medan, North Sumatra