[MassHistPres] Historic wood gutter maintenance

[heartwood]

I also suggest boiled linseed oil cut with turpentine (not thinner as turps has anti-mildew
and anti-insecticide properties in addition to aiding the blo in penetrating the wood)...for 
a first application, I would encourage 2 or 3 liberal coats of the blend...there after application
every couple of years should protect the wood...if a lining is installed, it must keep water from
getting beneath it and rotting the wood out of sight...MAKE SURE TO SOAK RAGS IN WATER
OR BURN OUTDOORS...they can and will combust if tossed in a refuse container....

good luck!
....jade

jade mortimer
heartwood window restoration
po box 114 1605 mohawk trail
charlemont, ma 01339
413-625-8680

From: Pleun Bouricius 
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2021 9:57 AM
To: Alex Becker 
Cc: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu 
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Historic wood gutter maintenance

Hi Alex: 

The most important maintenance is keeping the gutters clean. After that comes the annual treatment.


You are correct, you will want to penetrate the wood. And linseed oil is good. Linseed oil is, however, also good food for microorganisms.

We installed and maintained wood gutters until about 2006. We used 2:1  linseed oil/paint thinner or turpentine. The solvent helps penetrate the wood and is antifungal. Of the two, turpentine is the more effective antifungal. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026265X19324506

You can also buy fungicide for paint and add that to the mix. They have it at HD.hardware store.. However, it is tough to mix in and tends to be a wee whitish. 

Good luck.


  On Jun 12, 2021, at 5:14 PM, Alex Becker <jabecker at gmail.com> wrote:

  Dear List,

  Any recommendations regarding maintanence of wood gutters, particularly yearly treatment with linseed oil (or something else)?  Results of googling are contradictory: some recommend boiled linseed oil, some not boiled, or pre-packaged treatments for decks and outdoor wood furniture, or some type of sealant.  Allowing moisture to escape seems desirable, so maybe a sealant wouldn’t be the best option.

  More generally: does anyone know of a contractor in the area (eastern Mass) who specializes in wood gutters and their maintenance?

  Thank you!

  Alex Becker
  Reading, MA
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