Subject: Rotten Trusses
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2000

I took down a shed with 2x6 - 40' trusses, and stacked them in a field for 6 months without covering them, now I have built the new shed and installed them. I noticed the wood had become a little softer, and a black residue got all over us when we installed them. They are strong enough now, but should I spray Clorox & water to kill the mildew , and will the rot stop now that I have them under the roof?

Brian A.

Brian,

Spray them with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, which is sold under the trade names Tim-Bor and Penetreat. This is a non-toxic borate that you mix with water, and it will eliminate the rot fungi/insect problem for a few years. It does eventually leach out of the wood.

However, if you have any soft spots that show a clear indication of rot, then we'd suggest that they be first treated with our CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) before the application of the borate. This will harden the wood and give it substantial future rot protection.

Doc