Help! There’s Creosote-Treated Lumber in My Home in Wilmington, NC

Creosote is a common chemical preservative used in Wilmington and other coastal areas of North Carolina to protect utility poles, dock pilings, and other outdoor fixtures from wood rot and termite infestation. This wood isn’t intended for indoor use, but creosote-treated lumber sometimes ends up in the floorboards of homes or offices that were built in a floodplain. Other times, people incorporate creosote-treated railroad ties or poles as interior crossbeams or other architectural elements because they like the rustic effect.

The problem is that lumber treated with creosote typically has been soaked in the chemical so that the preservative has penetrated to the wood’s core. Over the years, the wood will begin to emanate smelly fumes that many people describe as similar to the odor of mothballs. These vapors can continue for decades, and government agencies say they pose a number of health risks. These risks include eye damage, respiratory illnesses, and skin rashes. What’s more, indoor exposure to creosote-treated lumber has been identified as a probable carcinogen.

EnviroShield Has the Solution

Property owners who discover this problem often try scraping, sanding, and repainting the creosote-treated lumber. But this is not only a time-consuming, labor-intensive approach but also a health risk to the person performing the work.

EnviroShield has a better solution: CreoShield™. This innovative coating can be applied directly to the affected wood, where it will encapsulate the fumes. This approach eliminates the offensive odors and reduces the emissions to levels that are safe for humans and pets. Here are some additional advantages:

Less Disruption of Your Routine

When you have CreoShield™ applied by one of our approved Applicators, site preparation and treatment can usually be completed in only a day or two.

Long-Lasting Results

Unlike paint, our coating penetrates deeply into any porous substrate – such as wood or concrete – which means it won’t peel or wash away when exposed to moisture.

Aesthetic Benefits

CreoShield™ is available as a clear coating or in virtually any color you could name, so it will be easy to blend with your décor.

Contact EnviroShield today to learn more about the advantages of choosing CreoShield™ to solve the problem of creosote-treated lumber in your Wilmington home or workplace.