was it ever painted? there was a tale circulating for a while that pt wood
did not need to be painted; i believe -- and someone pls. correct me if i am
wrong -- that the the salts used chromated copper arsenate, etc. are water
soluble and will leach out of the wood with regular exposure (i.e., on a
deck) without the benefit of a coat or two of paint for protection.

i don't have the technical data at hand, but i have always operated under
the assumption that the treatment is pesticide and fungicide. or, if not a
pesticide, at least a real deterrent. rarely do i rely on the treatment
itself to protect the wood; always detail to keep dry and bug-free with
paint, flashing, and an ant-eater or two.

sign me,

s. lacrymans

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Cagnetta [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 7:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Rotten Pressure Treated


I found, once again, some rotted pressure treated wood about 20 years
old.  I'm curious, do the agents of pressure treated wood provide
resistance to fungal attatck, or is it mearly for preventing
infestation?  And also, what is the process of rot with these agents,
bacteria or fungus?

Curious in RI