CCA-Treated Poles: Here’s What You Need to Know
Most of us see or use CCA-treated gum poles every day, without even giving them a second thought. But when you have something to build, CCA-treated wooden poles could be the simple solution!
Read on for more information about this durable, convenient and environmentally-friendly building material.
What is CCA?
Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a wood preservative containing compounds of chromium, copper, and arsenic in various proportions. It is used to impregnate timber and other wood products, especially those intended for outdoor use, in order to protect them from attack by microbes and insects. Like other copper-based wood preservatives, it imparts a greenish tint to treated timber.
How is CCA applied to wooden poles?
In the pressure treatment process, an aqueous solution of CCA pole treatment is applied to the wooden poles using a vacuum and pressure cycle, and the treated wood is then stacked to dry. During the process, the mixture of oxides reacts to form insoluble compounds, helping with leaching problems.
The process can be applied to gum poles sizes and varying amounts of preservative at varying levels of pressure to protect the wood against increasing levels of attack.
Where necessary, increasing protection can be applied for:
Exposure to the atmosphere
Implantation within soil
Insertion into a marine environment.
Did you know?
CCA-treated timber lasts for at least 40 years in the soil!
The benefits of using A CCA-treated pole
Wood requires less energy to produce than aluminium and plastic and it is biodegradable – making it a more environmentally-conscious choice of building material.
Wooden poles are lightweight and can be easily cut to the required size.
CCA-treated poles are more environmentally friendly and easily handled than creosote poles.
The poles are resistant to moisture, which prevents microorganisms from growing on them.
Treated gum poles prevent the wood from being damaged by insects and pests.
Treated poles are fire-resistant, and thus safer than untreated poles.
CCA-treated poles are more durable than natural wood and require little maintenance.
What can CCA-treated gum poles be used for?
CCA-treated gum poles can be used both outdoors and indoors for a range of applications such as:
Droppers
Laths
Decks
Docks
Piers
Shelters
Garden furniture
Jungle gyms
Mailboxes.
Safety measures when handling treated poles
CCA-treated timber should not be burned
Gloves should always be worn when handling the materials after treating
Masks should be worn when sawing materials.
Need a trusted wooden pole supplier?
Looking for the best CCA treated timber prices? At Prime Poles, we specialise in the treatment and supply of high-quality, CCA-treated gum poles, laths and droppers for all your building and fencing needs. Get in touch for a free quote: www.primepoles.co.za/contact.