by: Rod Rodriguez
Over the years I have heard so many stories pertaining to wood restoration. There has been a lot of controversy relating to how to do it and what is necessary under what circumstances and so forth. A few notable agencies, associations and government segments have taken on the world of wood and demonstrated there is much to be considered when working with wood.
Its composition is of particular interest in many publications in which the diversity of each species is identified and classified for our information on how to deal with this amazing material. Each has a hardness or softness, a specific gravity, a porosity, a density, a color range, a unique grain, a thermal dynamic, a moisture content, tannins, lignin, resins, oils, sap, pitch, and characteristics that indicate its age, decomposition rate, shrinking rate, warping, cupping, cracking, weathering, and so on...
Wood is useful according to its characteristics for structures, furniture and tools. Each has attributes which determine the best overall use. Understanding the attributes of wood makes one good at working with this material and applying that knowledge towards a specific craft becomes a carpenter, craftsman or supplier.
Learning what happens to wood when used on structures can help one to understand what to expect from this material over time and determine a suitability for the many types of structures that wood can be used for.
When it comes time for repair, replacement, or implementing of a protective measure upon the structure, one needs to understand much of the following before moving forward.
What type of wood is it?
How old is it?
Has it been treated with a preservative?
What is happening to the wood?
What is causing the current condition?
How does the current condition affect the wood's integrity?
How does the current condition affect the load handling capability?
At this point, is it reversable, treatable, salvagable?
Will it happen again if the same course of action is implemented?
If so, what will prevent this condition again?
What can be applied to offer protection?
As you can see, it is pretty involving and without the answers to these questions which anyone working with wood technically should be able to answer, are subject to providing an inferior or at least inadequate result.
'Technically'. Lets take a look at that. If the key to successfully working with wood is technical knowledge, that would indicate that there is much to know about it and in essence, that knowledge would be equal to an educated understanding of wood? Technical being an applied science, profession, art, or craft. One who is educated in the science of wood can become skilled with practice. Those who develop their skill become artfull. They use their applied knowledge and develop technique. Technique is the tool of a skill in the knowledge of a science. Wood being the science.
Restoring wood to a former state or condition which is improved from a degraded one takes knowledge and skill. This is art. Without it, the results range from lucky to disaster. A little knowledge is not good for the wood, a lot of knowledge is better for it.
People take our trade for granted at times and dont give many of us the credit for the education we have invested in or the time we take to evaluate our results. People have been exposed to many who have not taken our steps and just haphazardly go about trying to do what they have seen others do without the thought of what they are doing to someone elses property.
Wood restoration also requires a knowledge apart from wood which is chemistry. In chemistry applicable to this trade, we must learn about many components of the ones used today and also, about the effects they will have on wood itself and how they will react to what is currently installed upon the wood. We must learn about the types of coatings, finishes, sealers, preservatives, colorants, mildewcides, fungicides, oils, and resins used in wood restoration today. Identification of these present or missing gives us information we need in order to understand what is going on and what is needed to effect a positive change. Climate, environment and nature of use tell us what to expect from what is present and what will work better.
There is a wide variety of chemicals available for wood restoration which have specific uses and end results. These range from alkalines (bases) to acids. Each in its pH category serves a function towards restoring wood to a former or improved state or condition. Many are found in local stores which are designed for use by a consumer with little or no knowledge and are formulated in the same regard. The strength and capabilities are reduced for liability purposes which is for the best. Professionals use chemicals specifically designed and tailorable to the demands of a wood restoration technician and can be dangerous to those who are not qualified to use them. Qualification being: education, training, experience and if available, certification.
The care and precautions employed by a wood restoration professional comes from experience and a thorough understanding of the chemicals we must use to give our customers the best possible result. Understanding of everything mentioned in this article can give a new meaning to the trade of wood restoration and possibly, some respect for what they know how to do so well with the knowledge and techniques developed to give wood a longer life.
See Dirt Run!Inc. 2005 http://www.seedirtrun.com