But wood exposed to the weather, insects, mold and decay will rapidly deteriorate. When wood is pressure treated, it s placed in a closed cylinder and chemical preservatives are forced deep into the cellular structure. This process allows the treated wood to maintain a chemical barrier against termites and decay for a long time. Waterborne preservatives are the most commonly used for playground equipment, fences, gazebos, boat docks, sign posts, utility poles and retaining walls. Information on this tag will include the year of treatment, proper exposure conditions, if the wood was dried after treatment, the trademark of inspection, the preservative used, the treating company s name and location, the retention level and any AWPA standards.
Preservatives form a strong chemical bond with the cellulose in the wood in the treating process.
As a result, it doesn t leach out after the wood has been installed in garden projects. But follow a few precautions when working with treated wood. Avoid contact with sawdust by using eye protection and a facemask when sawing boards. Don t burn treated-wood scraps because combustion breaks the unique bond formed between the preservative solution and the wood cellulose. Dispose of pressure-treated wood scraps through normal garbage collection.