TL;DR
A borate treatment is the application of borate salt solutions, typically disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, to bare wood framing and sills, where the mineral soaks in and poisons the wood against termites, carpenter ants, and decay fungi for the life of the material if kept dry. It is common during construction, when whole frames are sprayed before drywall, and in crawl spaces and rim joists during pest remediation.
What it means
A borate treatment is the application of borate salt solutions, typically disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, to bare wood framing and sills, where the mineral soaks in and poisons the wood against termites, carpenter ants, and decay fungi for the life of the material if kept dry. It is common during construction, when whole frames are sprayed before drywall, and in crawl spaces and rim joists during pest remediation. Borates are low-toxicity to people and pets at applied concentrations but water-soluble, so exposed exterior wood needs a sealing coat or the treatment leaches out. Termite warranties and pretreatment programs frequently rely on it where soil termiticides are restricted.
Where it sits in the glossary
Borate treatment is part of the Trade jargon group inside the ProFix Directory glossary. Browse every term in this category from the glossary index.
Why Ohio homeowners should know it
This is a term Ohio homeowners encounter when reading contractor quotes, hiring paperwork, or inspection reports. Understanding it well enough to ask one good follow-up question is usually all the protection a homeowner needs.
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See also
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