What Does Waterlogged Wood Mean?

Classes of Waterlogged Wood

• Waterlogged wood is classified based on the percentage of water contained in the wood in relation to the dry weight of the wood. In some cases the water can reach 1000 percent or 10 times the weight of the dry wood. In this case, the waterlogged wood is approximately 90 percent water and 10 percent wood. Anytime the water weight is 400 percent or four times the dry weight of the wood, it is classified as a Class 1 waterlog case. Class II waterlogged wood ranges from 185 to 400 percent, while Class III waterlog cases are less than 185 percent water weight.

Uncontrolled Drying

• If the waterlogged wood is removed from its wet environment and allowed to dry when exposed to air, the remaining wood fibers shrink, resulting in cracks and crevices in the wood.

Preservation Methods

• Preservation efforts often involve replacing the water with oils or other chemicals during the drying process. As of 2011, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commonly used as a preservative. The material has a consistency similar to wax but is soluble in alcohol and water. Earlier methods included oils and salts. PEG is corrosive to metal, making the material inappropriate for the preservation of objects that include wood and metal such as guns.

Freeze Drying

• Freeze drying removes the moisture from the wood under subzero conditions. The process is often done in conjunction with PEG but is limited to small objects by the sizes of the freezing chambers. After the freeze drying treatment, the wood is stable for storage or display under normal household conditions.