Preserving teak

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