The New Zealand timber industry is fighting back at accusations that its products are implicated in an increase in leaky buildings.
Carter Holt Harvey, Fletcher Challenge Forests and the New Zealand Timber Industry Federation recently took large display advertisements in major daily newspapers headlined “We’d like to clear up the rot about timber in leaky buildings”.
The advertisements said leaky buildings are caused by inappropriate design and unsuitable building practices and advise that the key is to build weathertight homes that keep water out or incorporate a drainage and ventilation system to get rid of any moisture that gets in.
It adds: “Do this and you can use untreated timber or H1 borer treated timber with confidence.”
The advert warns that treating timber is not a solution to leaky homes, adding that the only real protection is through careful moisture management.
It recommends using H3 treated framing to provide some resistance against decay caused by high risk design and resulting water leaks but again warns that H3 treatment will only slow decay and not provide permanent protection if the timber is constantly damp.
The most popular form of timber treatment in New Zealand is CCA, but the government is investigating alternatives in line with the US, Canada and the European Union.
