Wood is a material that plays a major role in the construction of a house. But did you know that certain types of lumber could create long-term issues in a new home? We are talking about green lumber. So, what is it, and how might it affect a new building?
Green lumber is also known as wet lumber, and it is regularly used in the construction of new houses. As we know, trees contain a lot of moisture. This moisture starts to evaporate from the wood as soon as it is cut down and continues to do so until it is at the same moisture level as its surrounding environment. The problem with green lumber is that it is used in construction while it still has a lot of moisture in it. What issues might arise from this?
The wet lumber will carry on with the moisture evaporation process even after it has been used for construction. The wood will continue to dry out, and as it does, it can shrink and form gaps. As well as water, other fluids like sap start to evaporate out of the wood. If the lumber has been painted while this process is still ongoing, it can cause stains and even force the paint to bubble up.
Mold is another serious problem that can arise when using green lumber. Even before the wood has been used, it may have started to develop mold issues which means that a new house could have this problem before it is even completed. Involving a home inspector during the construction process will help to discover any issues while they are still minor.