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Moldy wood is usually a precursor to rot or decay. Severe cases of rot
and decay, which are likely to be found in concentrated areas around corners
or the base logs, indicate a moisture problem that may be addressed with
gutters, flashing, or other drainage solutions. Mold grows anytime the temperature
is above freezing, but it thrives at temperatures above 70f/20c. Mold
needs three things to survive.
Warm Temperature
A Food Source
Moisture
Take away any of the three and mold will not grow. When logs have been freshly
peeled or milled, the sap comes to the surface. This makes a nutritious
and hearty meal for an up and coming mold spore. Mold spore are like tiny
airborne seeds that are present in almost every part of the world. If they
land on a surface that has the right combination of temperatures, food and
humidity, they grow and multiply into large colonies. However, if mold has
already started, and you kill it, there could still be some discoloration
which can be cleaned with ULTRA-KLEEN, and/or NEW-WOOD. This should be done
before using any MENCO products on wood, whether on the interior or exterior
of your home. The moisture content must be 18% or less (cedar, redwood,
or cypress should be 12% or less moisture). Next, spray some water
on the wood surface. If the water penetrates immediately, you can stain
your wood. If the water beads and lays on the substrate, your wood has to
much moisture content on the surface. This will allow mold and mildew to
form under your finish and become lack; or a visible white fungi could appear
on your surface. The secret to longevity is LOW MOISTURE!! Mold and mildew
are fungus growths that can form on various materials including stains and
paint surfaces. Men-Wood™ has fungicides in it to
fight against this problem for surface growth. This is a natural occurrence
would wide, and MENCO cannot assume responsibility for it's formation in
any form that appears on your wood or logs. Call MENCO for products to use
on your exterior wood for temporary protection while drying out your interior
or exterior wood before staining.
WOOD'S MOISTURE CONTENT
GREENWOOD: Moisture is 30% or more, sometimes as high
as 100%. This is the condition of newly harvested healthy trees. The wood
fibers are normally saturated with water depending on the elevation and
climate.
SURFACE DRY WOOD: Moisture content is 25% or less.
This is the condition of wood two weeks to four months after cutting and
debarking. The outer 1/8 inch of the wood's surface feels dry to the touch.
Many log homes are sold in this condition.
DRY LUMBER: Moisture content is 18% or less (cedar,
redwood, or cypress should be 12% or less moisture). This is the standard
set by the American Softwood Lumber Standards Association. It generally
applies to cut dimensional lumber, but may also be applied to logs. Lumber
can take a year to two years to air dry to this moisture level depending
on the relative humidity of the area.
KILN DRIED WOOD: Moisture content is 15% or less. This
is also a standard set by the A.S.L.S.A. Building with logs, because of
their thickness, require two to three weeks in a forced air drying kiln
to reach this moisture level. If the center of the log is reduced to this
moisture content, very little additional shrinkage will occur in them
as they are dimensionally stable.
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