Bor-8 Rod - Wood Rot Protection System

These rods are made of the mineral borate which controls insect and fungal (wood rot) growth. Borate is internationally recognized as an effective and well-established wood preservative.
Borate rods are used as an easy, low-cost, and EPA-approved decay protection and prevention system for wood.

Use Borate Rods in all areas where wood is exposed to moisture. These high exposure areas include boat timbers, flooring, sill, and foundation systems, window and door framing, exterior steps, porches and decking, roof trim and fascia, attic rafters, log structures, buried poles and fence posts.

Easy to use, borate rods are installed in holes drilled in wood where rot is a problem, or prophylactically to prevent decay in areas where a critical piece of wood is exposed to moisture, and therefore susceptible to rot and decay. After the rods are inserted, the hole is sealed with a wooden dowel, wood filler, or caulk.
An included Use Chart specifies how many rods to use, as well as their depth and spacing.

The borate slowly dissolves in moisture in the wood, diffusing out into the wood’s structure. The borate preservative migrates to areas of highest moisture and concentrates where wood is most susceptible to decay.
If the wood dries, the borate stops dissolving, but the residual diffused preservative remains in place. If the wood is subsequently re-exposed to moisture, the borate starts dissolving and diffusing again. Depending on circumstances, the rods can last for years.

Installation of Borate Rods is an important preventative step in System Three Resins' EndRot System for wood rot repair.

• Available in a variety of sizes for a wide range of applications
• Molded from melted disodium octaborate tetraborate; rods have the appearance of glass
• Highly toxic to fungal decay and many insects at concentrations that are non-carcinogenic and have a low toxicity to humans, pets, or other mammals
• Bor8 Rods are a registered pesticide in both the USA and Canada


Heavy on the technical side...

Recommended Uses:
Flooring and Foundation Systems: The greatest risks for decay are at exposed wood end grain and at wood joints where moisture is more readily absorbed than on side surfaces. Other areas of concern are where joists rest on block piers; at band sills around dirt-filled porches; at untreated deck headers; and at foundation sites near chimneys.
Window and Door Framing: Anywhere weathering of paint and exposure has occurred especially at the bottom of windows and doors is at risk of decay.
Exterior Steps, Porches and Decking: Install Borate Rods in posts, rails, wood ends, joints and trim.
Roof Trim and Fascia: Fascia boards supporting gutter systems and soffits are especially vulnerable to decay attack. Also protect areas where trim is in contact with skylights, vents, chimneys and where excessive moisture is common.
Roof and Attic: Install Borate Rods where leaks have caused water damage to support members and rafters.
Log Construction: Borate Rods should be installed wherever logs are not protected from the elements.
Poles and Posts: Install Borate Rods where moisture may cause decay; especially in building and foundation poles; and farm and residential fence posts.

Application Rods are placed into holes drilled in wood at key locations. As the rods dissolve, the borate preservative migrates to areas of highest moisture and concentrates where wood is most susceptible to decay. If the wood dries the rods stop diffusing. The residual preservative remains in place. When the moisture content rises the rods resume diffusion. Depending upon conditions of moisture, rods need not be replaced for years. A chart included in each package that shows recommended rods sizes and spacing for each type of installation. There are three easy steps to installing Borate Rods:

• Drill appropriate sized holes to accommodate the predetermined number and size of Borate Rods required. Refer to the included Borate Rod Use Chart to select correct rod size and spacing.
• Insert the suitable size and number of rods into the holes
• Seal the holes with treated wooden dowel, wood filler (like SculpWood Putty or Paste) or caulk
• Paint if desired