Call for treated timber

Dropping the compulsory use of treated timber in wall frames in New Zealand homes six years ago was stupid, says Consumers Institute chief executive David Russell.

Evidence has emerged of a national leaky house crisis, one which some believe may cost $1 billion in repairs. Industry sources estimate that about 1 in 10 new houses could be at risk from serious rot and leak damage.

Mr Russell says a move back to using treated timber in new homes would be a good one for home buyers or those planning to build.

One of new draft rules proposed by the Building Industry Authority is that those building popular Mediterranean-style homes would have to use H3-treated timber for timber wallframes.