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 also indicate that wood is being wetted. Noticable growth of moss or other
vegetation on wood surfaces or in checks or cracks is evidence of potentially
hazardous wetting. Special attention should be paid to wood adjacent to
water-trapping areas such as joints where end-grain is exposed to rainwet-
ting or other sources of moisture. Wood primarily absorbs water through
end grain, so decay often begins at joints.
1.4.3 Inspection & Maintenance Procedures (Antennae Poles).
1.4.3.1 Internal Decay. When performing inspections and main-
tenance on antennae poles it is important to know that internal decay occurs
as a result of fungal infestations that (1) start in poles before treatment or
(2) where wood destroying organisms are able to penetrate the outer
protective shell of preservative treated wood which surrounds the non-
treated wood in the center. Deep checks which develop after treatment,
mechanical damage from improper handling, woodpecker holes or other
actions which break the protective shell, provide avenues for entry of decay
fungi. Internal decay will also develop in pole tops cut or bored in the field
when the cut surface is not coated with a topical preservative.
WARNING
Do not cut the butt ends off poles as
this exposes the central untreated core
of wood at the bottom of the poles and
provides easy access to termites and
decay fungi.
Checks and mechanical damage in the shell of treated wood can also expose
the center of the pole to decay fungi.
1.4.3.2 External Surface Decay. External decay is most common
at or below the ground line. As poles age, external decay may develop as
the effectiveness of the treatment begins to decline.
1.4.3.3 Insects. Attacks of the untreated interior portions of
poles by subterranean termites or carpet ants are difficult to detect.
However, if insects can gain entry, so can decay fungi. Therefore, the two
will often occur together,
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