This beachfront home in Surf City was one of almost seventy dwellings in the city completely destroyed by Hurricane Fran. This cottage in Topsail Beach lost its roof and was moved off of it's foundation by the wind and water that accompanied Hurricane Fran. While driving along the streets of many of our coastal towns assessing damages caused by Hurricanes Bertha and Fran, I was amazed at the amount of exterior natural wood that was going to need replacing. The streets and properties were strewn with the remnants of decks, stairways, boardwalks, railings and siding. I also considered how many of the property owners would fail to properly maintain these items, once replaced.
Many homeowners believe that pressure treated wood requires no maintenance.
This assumption is incorrect. The pressure treatment only protects against insects, rot and decay. The lumber is still vulnerable to discoloration, fading, uneven graying or blackening, splitting, cracking, swelling and buckling. In the past, consumers were told to wait for a period of time before applying sealers, stains, waterproofing, conditioners and other protective chemicals. Often, this wait would result in the wood never being treated.