EPA's CCA Warning and Marketing

[sprayandclean]

Guys and gals,
What are your thoughts on taking advantage of the CCA Health Warning / stop in production foCCA wood etc?

Anyone who has been 'doing' decks is in a position to take advantage of a mild health scare, whether real or just potential.... to what degree is anyone going to use this in their advertising? At what level are you as a business person, offering a service going to become the leach in the world of leaching arsenic?

I already recieved one e-mail from a supplier, touting the EPA's 'warning' about CCA treated wood, and I have read the EPA's warning, which is a pretty mild warning. Is it right for us as deck professionals to 'Cry Wolf' about this potential problem, while 'crying wolf' puts money in our pockets????

What do you think?

Bates McLain
Spray and Clean

 

[ron]

ron p

i would be carefull with this.
right now you have no worries about water run off and other EPA stuff
what if someone starts with that kind of stuff?

 

[tzahlman]

I feel that to a point if someone uses the info the get more business its kind of like useing scare tactics if used in extreme. I would myself have a problem with useing it. Just my 2cents.

 

[Kevin7022]

I recently posted a question on this and did alot of research and determined not to persue. Not only is EPA and soil toxicity things we generally do not like to discuss with customers, but soil testing will be something of question. Arsnic soil test kits can be got for $15 bucks. The thing is, if it tests hot for the metal what to do after removing the soil...

see where it leads..

If you can find a company that will handle the soil I guess you can shoot it with urethane based product and maybe it won't peel off in 6 months.

It just seems to be a complicated issue right now. I chose to continue sealing wood for protecting and appeal.

Kevin

 

[ron]

ron p

big mfg. use a type of scare tactic
michelin tires "you have a lot riding on your tires"
then they put a baby sitting in the middle of a tire.
implying that if your not useing there tires your putting your family at risk.
michelin makes the best tires[most applications] but i did'nt like the way
they did that ad. Firestone was kicked hard allready and for good reason but i still dont like that kind of ad. my 2 cents
maybe put little scull and crossbones on your ad for decks that will get them to call lol
the best bet would be to have a note about pressure treated decks in your ad and to have the customer call and find out more. as in **unsealed pressure treated wood ?
please call ASAP. i think thats the best route
once again my 2 cents worth

 

[Paul Freeman]

We have an ad hitting the street tomorrow. It contains 188 words. 31 of which read:

<CENTER><B>IMPORTANT NOTICE:</B> If you have a PRESSURE TREATED DECK please call ASAP or visit www.washmart-powerwash.com to learn about a recent EPA Press Release regarding the residential use of PRESSURE TREATED WOOD.</CENTER>

On the web site there’s a page regarding PT Wood Facts. There’s also a link to the EPA’s 2/12 press release.

I don’t see this as a scare tactic. I see it as a problem that the EPA identified. What I’m offering is a solution to the problem. The local TV stations here also publicized the EPA’s press release and strongly suggested getting pressure treated wood sealed, ASAP.

I’m glad to see some opposing opinions about this issue. I really don’t want to scare anybody. I just want heighten awareness, which is always a good motivator, and drum up some business. I have to admit though, after re-reading my own writing on the web page, I did exactly that. So, today I’m going to reword or remove a line or two our PT Wood Facts page.

Thanks.

Paul

 

[reedsterstl]

I too don't see this as a scare tactic. This is a really big topic here in the St. Louis metro area. My newspaper ad simply states "EPA compliant CCA treated wood sealing" and I leave it at that. I posted on this board and the other two all the links I found in my research on this topic. Use them as you wish, but be informed. Soil leaching isn't that big a problem.. It won't travel more that 5 to 10 inches from ground contact. http://www.preservedwood.com/safety/research_rosen.html

This should be a concern to all of us and we should do what we can to educate our customers and ourselves. Arsenic doesn't do you in all at once, it is a build up over time. This is my concern. Think back, how many time have you sanded treated wood? Good question. This is such a hot topic that CCA will no longer be available very soon. But, I have not found much information on the replacement chemical, ACQ (Alkaline, recycled copper and quat, a fungicide).

Here are two more links that are worth the reading.

http://www.healthybuilding.net/la_times_2_13.html

and

http://www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/epaprintonly.cgi

Our customers will have questions on this and we should tell them what we know and they make the informed decisions on what to do with THEIR wood.

Good topic

Reed

 

[tonyszabo]

Midwest Mobile Washers nothern IL as well

tzahlman,

Just noted your location .

Please call me we are swamped with jobs!

Tony Szabo
Midwest Mobile Washers 815 772 8085

 

[Beth]

Hi Bates,
If you quote the EPA, you're fine. My suggestion is to quote them, and give the customer the link to the site. Show them you are informed and can back where the information came from. It gives you credibility. Quote those things that will help you secure the business.

Beth