Due to the unique properties of wood, a wooden house is an ideal dwelling for a person. The optimum level of humidity in the interior is maintained thanks to the hygroscopicity and vapor permeability of the natural material, which continues to “breathe” in the walls of the log house. A living structure needs to be protected from the adverse effects of the environment.
The reasons for the destruction of wooden structures
Natural, man-made and anthropogenic factors that may affect the integrity and health of the walls of the log house:
- Ultraviolet radiation destroys lignin, which is the reinforcing frame of wood. Under the influence of direct sunlight, the surfaces outside darken, become porous, easily absorb moisture and quickly give it away. As a result, the logs prematurely age and crack.
- Precipitation and high humidity lead to swelling, and then to shrinkage of wooden structures. Wet wood is a favorable environment for the propagation of fungal microorganisms and mold foci. The decaying corner of the log house can cause the destruction of the house.
- Insect pests and rodents, which can settle in the walls of the log house, damage the integrity of the tree.
- Exposure to concentrated acid-base solutions affects the chemical composition of the tree and changes its physical properties.
- Fire - One of the most destructive factors that can destroy a wooden blockhouse in a very short period of time.
- Uneven heating of the walls of the house, the formation of condensate on their surface, dry air indoors during the winter - all these are the results of human activity, which also adversely affect the state of wooden structures.
The inevitability of the influence of one or more factors convinces the need for processing the internal and external surfaces of a wooden structure.
Methods of protecting wood from adverse factors
At the construction stage use constructive methods of timber protection from exposure to moisture, solar radiation, biodefeats and fire. Activities include isolating wooden blanks from the ground, installing well-ventilated canopies at a sufficient distance from combustible materials and open sources of fire. Installation work can last several months, so it is important to prevent deformation and premature destruction of building materials.
Along with structural methods for wood processing use new generation antisepticsthat protect the material from moisture and fungal infections for up to 8 months (e.g. “SENEZH EUROTRANS”).
If nevertheless the logs are covered with dark spots of lesions, you can get rid of them with the help of bleaching agents, which include chlorine or active oxygen.
Traditional chlorine bleaches negatively affect wood, destroying its structure, so it is better to use advanced technologies that meet international environmental standards. A drug "SENEZH NEO" based on active oxygen does not emit harmful substances and is suitable for the treatment of wooden houses inside and out.
Protective equipment for processing log houses
Reliable and safe processing of a wooden house depends on what compositions it will be produced. In today's market there are a large number of funds from various manufacturers, which promise one hundred percent protection against all kinds of effects on wood. The most popular and trusted include:
- SENEG - tinting and preserving antiseptic agents on a water and acrylate basis, fire-bioprotective materials and bleaching agents. Russian production;
- NEOMID - antiseptics for indoor and outdoor use, insect repellents and microorganisms, fire retardant emulsions 1 and 2 efficiency groups, fire retardant paint, wood protection oil for baths and saunas. Manufacturer - Russia;
- "Belinka" - protective primer, colorless antiseptic, persistent impregnation, water blue for clarification, paint with an ultraviolet filter. Slovenia;
- Tikkurila - colorless oils and water antiseptics, glaze materials, pigment paints. Protection against moisture, mold, rot and solar radiation. Finland;
- Rogneda - safe fire and bioprotective compounds, bleaches and protective and decorative coatings. Active antiseptics destroy the resulting lesions and provide protection from 15 to 50 years. Russia.
General recommendations for the use of antiseptics:
- funds are applied to the cleaned and fat-free surface of the log;
- initially treat the lesion sites;
- allowable temperature for organic compounds above + 50 ° C;
- the minimum temperature for using water-based products is + 100С;
- maximum air humidity - 80%;
- external wall treatment is best done in the shade of the house and move behind it in the process of work;
- fire retardant impregnations and coatings are applied after treatment of the wall with an antiseptic.
Exterior treatment at home with protective compounds
Colorless water-soluble antiseptics are used as a bioprotective primer of deep penetration. For outdoor work, the processing of walls with organic-based compounds is allowed (for example - NEOMID 430 ECO or NEOMID 440 ECO).
The facade of the house is most susceptible to atmospheric precipitation, therefore the logs are carefully covered with a protective composition, paying special attention to the end saws. The lower part of the walls is impregnated with a special antiseptic from groundwater, seasonal flooding, microorganisms and rodents (for example, “SENEGE ”).
Then fire protection is applied to the walls. For these purposes, fire retardant coatings and impregnations exist. Protective paints, pastes, coatings hide the surface of the wood, so it is better to use an impregnating composition, which is applied to the wall logs in several layers. For critical areas, use the means of the 1st group of fire protection effectiveness with a control surface tinting (for example - NEOMID 020).
Finishing is done with integumentary or glaze antiseptics that emphasize the structure and color of the surface of the log. To hide the surface that has lost its original appearance, the facade can be painted with acrylate or oil paint. Exterior coatings should be selected with UV protection (e.g. TIKKURILA WALTTI).
Internal protection of wooden walls and floors
Increased safety requirements are imposed on internal work. To process the log house, only water-based antiseptics are used from the inside. They are odorless, do not emit toxic substances, pass air and are moisture resistant. If dark spots appear on the walls of the room, they must be treated with bleach based on active oxygen before applying the antiseptic.
After the first treatment layer has dried, a fire retardant can be applied to the walls. "Senezh firebio" complex impregnation of the 1st group of effectiveness against fire, protection against mold, blue stain and insects. It does not change the color of the tree and is suitable for the interior.
Decorative interior finish of wood surfaces is carried out with glaze coatings or paints resistant to mechanical damage based on acrylate, which for a long time do not lose their color and luster.
Processing the walls with beeswax will fully preserve the environmental benefits of a wooden log house, although it will not provide long-term protection.
When choosing means for processing a wooden house, it is necessary to take into account the purpose and conditions of use, which are indicated in the instructions, use only certified preparations from well-known manufacturers. Timely protection will allow for many years not to worry about the condition of the wood.
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