Pressure Treated Used In Walls

Tile man Dan

I recently went to estimate a three bath renovation in condo downtown.
When I arrived to the job site I noticed the whole building has been studded out with pressure treated lumber. What concerns if any should I have about installing backer boards and stone in showers studded out with pressure treated lumber?

neolitic

This would depend on where
you are.
If it's PT Yellow Pine,
it takes a loooong time
to dry out, during which
time, it shrinks and warps.
If it's PT fir....
I don't know.

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duckdown

You have nothing to worry about. Since this is an existing property where the wood has had several years to dry out, it has already done its twisting and warping...

neolitic

If it might be ACQ,
look into corrosion proof
fasteners too.

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j.m.s.

Remove them, it is illegal to use pressure treated in living space, except for shoes on a slab. The reason is fire, they are concerned about the toxic gases when burning.


Joe

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rbsremodeling

I don't think this is correct?

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neolitic

Errrr, he says he's the tile guy,
not the GC.
Reframing the building might
be outside the scope of his work.

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rbsremodeling

What about the issue of it being illegal I have never heard that before in my life?

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neolitic

I've heard that before.
Makes sense, but the whole concept
is so bizarre......
I never cared to find out.

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SLSTech

Where in the IRC is this? I can't recall ever hearing or seeing anything like this in there.

If its not there & is only a local code issue, all you should do is recommend they contact their local code officials & state that in your area it's illegal.

Thanks

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j.m.s.

I was told that by inspectors years ago, not sure if it is really a law, but Like the other guy said, "it makes sense". I have just always made it may practice never to introduce pressure treated into the living space. I know I wouldn't want it in my house. I once had a 6 " splinter of treated go thru the front of my leg and out the back, when the Dr saw me in ER waiting room, he said "YOU , inside now!" Treated contains: cyanide, creosote, copper, formaldehyde, ... lots of nice stuff! I could have died from blood poisoning they said, had to get it out immediately. So, therefore, I don't like it in walls.


Joe

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SLSTech

I agree completly with you, the catch is stating something is illegal as a blanket statement, or in my area were not allowed to do...

Cheers & have another on me

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rustyjames

Interesting points made here. But if treated lumber is a toxic smoke issue then what about spray foam insulation? I think in most jurisdictions as long as it's covered with drywall it's ok.

tired carpenter

I used a fire retardant lumber in a comercial building back in the eighties. This may be the case in this complex as that material appeared similar to the weather treated material of today. A check of the original prints should shed more light on what is actually involved. As mentioned watch out for injuries as I remember scratches from this material were worse than normal injuries.
Tired Carpenter

neolitic

Bet you're on to something.

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rbsremodeling

My first 5 years of construction every house I built, every scrap of lumber used in the framing was constructed using pressure treated lumber.

Interior walls, rafters, sheathing. Everything was pressure treated.

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neolitic

Yeah, but you live in a swamp.....











with really weird people!

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rbsremodeling

LOL No it was actually on an island but same difference.

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j.m.s.

Might be getting off topic but, when I took the RCS course we learned that every building material has a fire and smoke rating or requirement. Your wood paneling has ratings on the back of it, electrical wiring has ratings, Can't just use any speaker wire in walls-has to meet ratings, ....maybe the foam insulation meets these requirements. If you look in the back of the IRC book you will find the reference standards including flame spread and smoke requirements. In fact I found no mention of not being able to use treated in living space. You would think with all these other crazy laws that that would be one. My mistake, ignore my previous comment.


Joe

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dkendu

If you install the backer boards to treated studs with the coated decking screws you will be just fine. Treated lumber have an even higher moisture content then s-dry (19%) lumber. Regular wood screws will carrode and break off while nails will pull out in a matter of time. There isn't any other concern with this project. remember to double the screws in the field area by 2" apart for the heavier stones.