Hello! My partner and I are interested in a house built in 1980. The inspection report indicates that there is pressure-treated sill in the exterior walls and in the only load-bearing interior wall. The moisture content was between 10-12% and the inspector did not detect any odors where he drilled for inspection. The same inspector conducted a transfer inspection in 2014 with the same results. So far so good, as long as there's no moisture it seems okay, I think. But my big question is, is pressure-treated sill (from the 70s-80s) harmless as long as it's dry?? Or does it slowly but surely release harmful particles/toxins even though it's relatively dry and odorless?
I have tried to find an answer to the above question but haven't gotten a definitive answer. Maybe it's not even known?
(On a related note, a sibling of mine bought a 70s house a few years ago and periodically has a really unpleasant smell in their house and also a small child with asthma. You never know why someone gets asthma but it certainly fuels my concern about chemical-treated sill.)
I have tried to find an answer to the above question but haven't gotten a definitive answer. Maybe it's not even known?
(On a related note, a sibling of mine bought a 70s house a few years ago and periodically has a really unpleasant smell in their house and also a small child with asthma. You never know why someone gets asthma but it certainly fuels my concern about chemical-treated sill.)
Mentioned in quite a few threads 
Pentachlorophenol in pressure-treated wood was banned in 1978.
If you're unlucky, wood older than 2 years was used in the sill. Otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem at all.
The only way is probably to analyze a sample from the wood.
Pentachlorophenol in pressure-treated wood was banned in 1978.
If you're unlucky, wood older than 2 years was used in the sill. Otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem at all.
The only way is probably to analyze a sample from the wood.
Thank you for your response! Yes, I understand that there are many threads on the subject, and I probably lack the knowledge to know exactly what to search for The threads I have found are about syll that smells and/or is moisture damaged, and that's not really my "problem". If you want, you are very welcome to link threads that answer my question so I can continue my exploration in the meantime
The threads I have found are about syll that smells and/or is moisture damaged, and that's not really my "problem". If you want, you are very welcome to link threads that answer my question so I can continue my exploration in the meantime Here you can find more to delve into regarding PCP:
http://www.lfs-web.se/pentakloranisol.htm
https://www2.sahlgrenska.se/upload/...edicin/VMC/VMC/Ärenden/Pennygangen_130919.pdf
More links are available as references to the article in the top link.
Of course, you should be source-critical and try to create as balanced a view of the material as possible, and perhaps also search further for additional material on the subject.
As with all health-hazardous materials used in homes over the years, it's important to find a balance that ensures it won't have a health impact on you.
http://www.lfs-web.se/pentakloranisol.htm
https://www2.sahlgrenska.se/upload/...edicin/VMC/VMC/Ärenden/Pennygangen_130919.pdf
More links are available as references to the article in the top link.
Of course, you should be source-critical and try to create as balanced a view of the material as possible, and perhaps also search further for additional material on the subject.
As with all health-hazardous materials used in homes over the years, it's important to find a balance that ensures it won't have a health impact on you.
The sill plates in the exterior walls are probably a minor issue, especially if they are exposed to the outside. However, the pressure-treated sill plate in the interior wall is more serious. All building materials release substances, even when they’re dry. Examining what the current sill contains and assessing its danger likely requires more chemical expertise than the inspector has. If you can't get clarity on this, I think you should avoid purchasing. An additional aspect of the problem is the fact that one might question the original builder's competence. Using pressure-treated wood indoors has never been accepted. When it occurs, it is either due to ignorance or to compensate for some other mistake.
Now, the treatment with today's metal salts is considered completely unproblematic indoors, as stated in the Swedish Wood Protection Association's building product declaration item 8.justusandersson said:
http://www.ingarpstra.se/upload/file-archive/111229156.pdf
(That it's unnecessary, and may have undefined strength classes, etc., is another matter)
Sills, or a stud in an interior wall, do less harm than sitting on a porch.
Additionally, over 35 years, "all" harmful substances that are emitted have already been emitted. The stud is also enclosed in a wall, and almost no air from there reaches the indoor air.
Certainly, one should avoid treated wood indoors. But most of what is said is pure scare tactics.
Additionally, over 35 years, "all" harmful substances that are emitted have already been emitted. The stud is also enclosed in a wall, and almost no air from there reaches the indoor air.
Certainly, one should avoid treated wood indoors. But most of what is said is pure scare tactics.
To the OP:
Considering the construction year, you (or why not the seller) should fund a chemical analysis by an accredited firm regarding older impregnation agents like PCP-based ones.
Otherwise, you might want to consider refraining from the purchase.
Considering the construction year, you (or why not the seller) should fund a chemical analysis by an accredited firm regarding older impregnation agents like PCP-based ones.
Otherwise, you might want to consider refraining from the purchase.
Thank you for your answers!! This seems to be a complex area, very interesting and many good links! Anyway, we have now signed papers for the current house, with an open inspection clause. A new inspection will take place on Monday. Unfortunately, there is no time for analysis of the wood from the sill in today's housing market, but we have bought the house and included a potential sill replacement in our calculations - if the wood analysis shows something other than PCP, it will be a bonus
What should we ask/request from the inspector on Monday? What can he see in a thorough house inspection regarding sills?
What should we ask/request from the inspector on Monday? What can he see in a thorough house inspection regarding sills?
We recently decontaminated a preschool that had impact sound insulation with pah above the construction concrete but under terrazzo and rubber mat. It was well embedded and had been there since 1968. It was still emitting too high levels of pah. So are you sure everything is okay with the imp-sill?AG A said:
Yes, I'm completely sure that it's harmless. The more embedded it is, the less it emits. Therefore, substances can be emitted when they are later exposed. But as long as it is tightly embedded, almost nothing is emitted in the building. If it is less tightly embedded, a little is emitted, but it decreases each year. If it involved very hazardous substances, then everyone with glazed verandas would be dead or seriously ill. It would also require special breathing protection to store, build, and saw with/in pressure-treated wood.Villa vista said:
If only the sill is pressure-treated, it's not a huge project to replace it, though of course it depends a bit on the construction, and if it needs to be done from the inside, it might also affect the indoor surfaces.
I don't think you need to be afraid of buying such a house, but it should, of course, affect the price.
I don't think you need to be afraid of buying such a house, but it should, of course, affect the price.
But if you compare it, for example, with re-roofing, replacing windows, or changing the facade, which many do, it's not a big project.mexitegel said:Everything is relative, but I would definitely call it quite a big project to replace the sill.
For my part, I would probably rather replace the roof a couple of times than replace the sill.
It requires opening up the walls around the entire house. There's a risk that the inside of the wall may be affected. Moisture barriers in the bathroom might be affected, etc.
If it's also a brick house, the sill should be replaced from the inside, which basically means a total renovation.
But now let's hope that the original poster doesn’t need to do anything at all.
It requires opening up the walls around the entire house. There's a risk that the inside of the wall may be affected. Moisture barriers in the bathroom might be affected, etc.
If it's also a brick house, the sill should be replaced from the inside, which basically means a total renovation.
But now let's hope that the original poster doesn’t need to do anything at all.