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
About The Author
Rod Rodriguez is the President of See Dirt Run! Inc.,
a Germantown, Maryland based company. All right reserved.
Use of this article is subject to expressed written consent
by the See Dirt Run! Inc. visit us onlien at http://www.seedirtrun.com
