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Re: creosote
The following is from THE UNDERGROUND HOUSE BOOK, by Stu Campbell,
copyright 1980 by Garden Way, Inc.:
"Traditional wood preservatives such as creosote and pentachlorophenol ARE
toxic and may not be used legally in underground walls that inclose living
space. But newer chromated copper arsenate salt preservatives are
non-toxic, odor free, virtually unleachable and permanent. In other words,
they're sound and safe."
Incidently, I live in a house very similar to the one you describe.
There are a few differences : it's mostly poured, not concrete block.
It is built in two levels, built in two stages. Initially it was
completely underground except for the south wall (one story) with a
concrete slab above. The second story was added because of leaks
through the ceiling. The addition is timber frame, with rather beefy
construction. The property has lots of fir and hemlock, and these were
used: 6x10" posts, 2x10's 12 inches on center. So far we've enjoyed it
very much. There are only two problems so far: a leak through the
crack between the wall slab and the (downstairs) roof slab (I intend to
fix this this week) and some cracking in the drywall upstairs, which is
either a result of thermal expansion/contraction or the pressure of
earth on the somewhat flexible north wall.I've only been here a few months
and I'm not an expert, but I'm happy to provide any info I can. Also, I'd
be interested if you'd keep me up to date on your progress.
Regards,
Jim Austin
In article <Pine.SOL.3.91.960418222423.3986B-100000@ms3>,
claydona@ms3.hinet.net says...
>
>On Mon, 15 Apr 1996, EDEL CHADWICK wrote:
>
>> Can anyone answer this questuion, I am hoping to build a house soon,
>> partially earth bermed, south facing slope etc. I hope to use
>> concrete block for the north and possibly east and west walls with
>> the rest timber framed. I have access to used electricity poles, these
>> are 20-30 years old, hard wood and had been treated with creosote at
>> the beginning of their life. Are these safe to use from a personal
>> and environmental point of view, do any special precautions need to
>> be taken?
>> Thanks
>> Edel
>>
>>
>Dear Edel,
>Do you have access to any other form of recycled timber
>? my experience of telegraph poles is they're difficult to cut even with
>a chainsaw and burn very well...something you might take into account.
>Be well
>Angus Claydon
>claydona@hinet.net
>
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