About the Pressure Treated Structural Lumber Coalition

Around2003 the way pressure treated wood was manufactured changed, the result of that change is wood that does not last nearly as long as any consumer would assume. In approximately 2013 after replacing several "new" pieces of lumber in my own home, I came to realize that I was not the only one on the island observing pre-mature lumber failure. In fact, dozens of families with hundreds of examples were starting to become aware of this growing failure rate. People were buying pressure treated lumber products, including staining pressure treated wood, and were having severe issues with the products.

In the end, many families went through litigation to receive some compensation for their acknowledged wood issue. However, nothing then changed with the distribution or production of the pressure treated wood supplied to our island. As a result, this "pressure treated lumber" is continuing to make its way into roofs

and decks all over the island with an assumption that it will last a 'lifetime', but in reality it is failing quickly, sometimes within just a few years.

This is not only inconvenient, it could be very dangerous in the next hurricane. It is costing many people unnecessary time and money. It is also creating an environmental issue with increased waste creation and exorbitant wood consumption (for replacement boards). For this reason, something must change, to support this change, I am launching the Pressure Treated Structural Lumber Coalition (PTSLC).

Our mission is to create a platform for consumers affected by the ongoing financial, emotional, physical and environmental consequences of deficient “Pressure Treated Wood Products”, to bring attention to the far reaching magnitude of damage and potential injury surrounding this issue to generate a voice for resolution. We want to present this as an issue that impacts all of us, industry and consumer alike.

We don't want to alienate anyone or put any jobs at risk, in fact the opposite, we want this to be seen as a proactive step toward preservation of a lifestyle. In our ideal state the coalition will engage with the Federal Trade commission to regulate the definition of Pressure Treated Wood and we will create compliance and enforcement of this definition.

Eventually, this will lead to an overwhelming solution for the islands and other impacted areas that will:

1. Bring the facts of this issue to the attention of government officials to recognize the tsunami that has effected families of St. John.
   
2. Improve the relations between industry and the islands (because we address the issue not as a finger pointing event, but as a coalition of change where everyone is part of the solution).
   
3. Promote tourism and local economy by gaining support of a resolution to prevent this disaster, that is sitting like a powder keg that will be fully recognized when homes and buildings start losing their roofs or collapsing, from leading to personal injuries and/or deaths. 
   
4. Inspire legislation that would prevent this incident from re-occurring. ​
   

We could use your help to bring this issue to light. Please fill in our contact form letting us know how this issue impacts you and if you have any thoughts on supporting the agenda of education and change.