Its essentially a thick horizontal piece of wood used to join the rest of the house to the foundation. Then again, trees have nutrients and roots that interact with the soil and allow them to rejuvenate and repair themselves over time. Ground contact lumber is made for outdoor projects where the wood is exposed to all types of weather or has a high potential for decay. . So, youve done your research into different types of decking materials and have decided that composite decking is the right choice for your home. These products are often a chemical treatment that seeps into the grain of your wooden workpiece and binds with them to ensure that your workpiece is highly resistant to rot and decay. What Lumber Is Required for Ground or Concrete Contact? x 6 in. With increased levels of water comes increased rot. I have made it a few times myself. If you dont want to replace it every few years, you will need to take steps to stop. Noncombustible wood is used less for residential projects. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'decksbye3_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-decksbye3_com-leader-1-0');All three are copper-based. Lets have a look at what causes wood to rot, the different types of rot you might come up against, and how to combat rot in all its incarnations. When wood is kept in direct contact with concrete, the moisture in the concrete will be drawn up into the wood, and after a period of time the wood will rot. Southern Yellow Pine with a Ground Contact designation is intended to protect your lumber from rotting in applications that have direct contact with soil (either resting on or installed into the ground) and excess moisture (beyond normal rainfall and watering systems). Several species of softwood are treated for exterior use. The oil would be applied up to about a foot above the ground. It is also ideal for residential and outdoor use like decks, fences, docks, and building structures. There are three subcategories of UC5 lumber based on whether youre building in Northern, Central, or Southern salt water regions and the types of pests in the water. Experienced contractors know that you need to have lumber that is certified for "ground contact" or higher for humid, harsh, or near water applications. This wood level is slightly more durable than UC4A and can even endure saltwater in some cases. But, there are many options for treating wood for ground contact. You dont expect good air circulation, especially on the underside and between decking boards. Keep reading to learn more about protecting pressure-treated wood in the backyard deck. The best way to treat wood for ground contact is soaking the part of the wood that will have contact with the ground in wood preservative for 20 minutes. If it touches the dirt, you want 4 or better stamped for ground contact. Decks built with UC4A and UC4B treated lumber can still be stained or painted. Required fields are marked *. A Red Seal carpenter, passionate about building decks to be enjoyed. Use Categories 3-4 are for exterior use. They may not be fun to think about, but . It will be exposed to more water on the ground having a greater impact than rain falling on the deck. But here we are using the wider rolls, say 9, which we can fully wrap the wood. Depending on your project, you may decide to use Ground Contact, Above Ground, or a combination of the two for the appropriate level of protection. Composite deck lumber is made of a combination of wood and plastic, making it dense and durable. Typically, ground contact wood lasts for an average of 9 - 40 years depending on the applications it is used for and how exposed it is to rot and decay. Maybe you inherited it from your grandparents, or maybe you found it by chance at a random yard sale and just could not resist it. The amount of moisture that pressure-treated lumber can retain is truly remarkable. You can order it from amazon here. Pressure-treated wood does a fairly good job of protecting workpieces against rot and general decay, although its always best to use a wood preservative in addition to pressure treatment to ensure that your wood stands the best chance of surviving being submerged into the soil. For decking, I would highly recommend that you do stain it. Pressure-treated wood is treated under pressure to increase the penetration and absorption of the chemicals. Even so, treated lumber will last longer than untreated wood. Reducing decay making your wood last longer outdoors and in contact with the ground. Now he takes deck building a little more seriously - but only a little bit. Keep in mind that treating lumber for ground contact using things like oil-based paints is only effective in the short term. Wolman is one of the top-rated below-ground preservatives. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Giving it protection against the elements. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. But wet wood will rot. There are dozens of fun DIY projects you can take on, and lots of them could be located outdoors. Especially if its close to the ground. This includes: Pressure-treated lumber is typically used in heavy construction such as bridges, guardrails, and docks. The best preservatives to use are chemical preservatives that prevent or slow down the rate of decay and biological infestation on the wood. In fact, preserved wood comes in several different use categories, and choosing the right boards for your project will ensure that you get to enjoy your handiwork for years to come. The speed and ease of application may make up for this but budget accordingly. This site is owned and operated by E 3 Construction Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) 2016 Book of Standards offers new guidelines to help both professional builders and enthusiastic amateurs decide when to choose Ground Contact treated wood. In fact, any wood in contact with dirt, you will need to take steps to prevent rot. This material is adequately treated to withstand some contact with moisture as long as it is expected to run off and/or dry fairly quickly (as is the case with normal rainfall and watering systems). and Comment Policy The first 4 are not for ground contact. Online forums and social media discussions further reinforce this notion with even DIY weekend warriors praising this wood for its hard-wearing nature and innate ability to resist rot and decay. Let the wood dry overnight before you put it in the ground. As long as you are not by the ocean. Boards that have been marked with these indicators have been graded for use below ground and are highly resistant to rot and decay. Sealing the wood along with protecting it against UV will maintain the deckings integrity and appearance. Which will reduce rotting. Wood for saltwater decks and other places where their high level of both moisture and corrosive elements. Traditionally people used diesel oil to treat ground contact lumber. Wood thats in contact with the ground can rot. Knowing how and why wood deteriorates is your best weapon against unnecessary effort and expense down the road. Discover why so many in the Raleigh area trust Capitol City Lumber. Southern Yellow Pine is an excellent choice for these outdoor projects because it is dense, straight-grained, and easy to work with. The only thing Mike Guertin likes better than building new homes is remodeling old ones. Sill plates are often the first pieces of wood ever placed as a structural member of a house or similar structure in rural or suburban settings. The chance of the buried wood-rotting is high. 2X the protection compared to Above Ground treatment. As a bonus tip, all cuts of pressure-treated wood should be brush-treated. Allowing you to add your personal touch or shift the colour to compliment your house. For wood needing protection against higher levels of moisture, fungi or insects, CCA (chromated copper arsenate)is used. Well, first off, its really easy to work with because its quite soft and can be split quite easily, but its white cedars ability to resist rot and decay makes it an ideal candidate for ground contact applications. So regardless of if you are building a deck, a fence or a garden box, your hard work will last for years to come. The upside is that its easy to apply and dries quickly. Web And dont worry, the stain does not diminish the treatment it only adds to the level of protection. Post Protectors are a chemical free solution to improved post life, designed to eliminate ground contact where micro-organisms in the soil feed on wood fiber. A ground level deck is meant to be low, which means you'll want to consider the type of wood or composite you'll use for framing. Wood is in direct contact with material that already shows signs of decay. Both are treated with the same chemicals, but ground contact is treated more. For denser wood, like hemlock incision is needed even for lower levels of treatment. Once fully wrapped, it should be watertight and protected against both water and fungi even when in contact with dirt. There are many instances where you would need to place wood in direct contact with the ground, each of which would need a specific treatment to prevent rot and general degradation. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Both of which allow me to do three things that I love, building things, spending time outdoors and sharing what I have learned with others. If water does happen to seep into the bricks and concrete, cracks and structural damage can, Read More Best Concrete Stain A Complete Look at Staining ConcreteContinue, Reasons for Prolonged Wood and Ground Contact. Use for decks, walkways, landscaping and other outdoor projects. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'decksbye3_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-decksbye3_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'decksbye3_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',107,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-decksbye3_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-107{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Therefore, it will help tell the wood dealer the lumber's end-use, so you'll purchase the correct grade. 3 Likes, 0 Comments - Paula McCabe (@paulamccabepreferredshore) on Instagram: "March is the peak of termite swarming season. ATTENTION: We are experiencing technical difficulties with our login and checkout systems. Pressure-Treated wood is not all the same. Increasing the moisture content, speeding up rot. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'decksbye3_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-decksbye3_com-banner-1-0');Now you could do even better and use wood treated for Marine application, UC5. I became aware of this at my Home Depot. Since most wood treatments have a pretty strong smell we highly recommend working outdoors, or if not possible, to ensure that your workspace is well ventilated, Next, ensure that you cover the floor of your workspace or youre paving with some tarp or old newspaper to ensure that they dont get permanently stained. 2 Wood In Contact with Dirt Should Be Treated for Ground Contact 3 Additional Ways to Protect Buried Wood from Rotting 3.1 Seal the Wood Against Moisture 3.2 Wrap with Joists Membrane 3.3 Surround Wood with Gravel Why Does Underground Pressure-Treated Wood Need Protection? ), American Wood Protection Association (AWPA). This has been a major change from the older versions of pressure-treated wood. Youll also have no trouble getting your hands on the dimensions you need at your local lumberyard. Mike worked on his first deck build when he was 15 and fortunately it was less than a foot off the ground so no one got hurt when it fell apart several years later. Features. Will an oil or water-based solution work best? Some soapy water should do the trick, just give the bit youre about to treat a good once over and allow it to dry off completely. Well, the key is in its heartwood (the core of the tree) which contains a bunch of little particles called extractives, these are what help protect the wood against rot and decay throughout its lifetime as part of a redwood tree and remain there once its been cut into the wood board. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Both of which allow me to do three things that I love, building things, spending time outdoors and sharing what I have learned with others. Still copper-based but with the addition of arsenic. What Is The Difference Between Capped And Uncapped Composite Decking? x 4 ft. x 8 ft. The Home Depot was one of the earliest retailers to plant its flag squarely on the side of Ground Contact. But what makes redwood so good at resisting decay and rot? It may have poor drainage and air circulation, or like a sill plate, is difficult to repair or maintain. UC4C treated for extreme duty will be sufficient in most situations. This site is owned and operated by E 3 Construction Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A south-facing back door is a perfect place for a deck. Treated for protection against fungal decay, rot and termites. Remember that green wood your Dad built with? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Paintable and stainable wood treatment is ready to use and preserves wood . Good choices for deck building. There are three common types of chemical treatment for ground contact wood. In the past five to 10 years, there was a shift in the AWPA recommendations for the Use Category of treated lumber used for building decks. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'decksbye3_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-decksbye3_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Ground contact wood levels. Severe Weather 6-in x 6-in x 12-ft #2 Ground Contact Wood Pressure Treated Lumber. Not to be used in contact with the ground or even within 6 (150mm), which is considered ground contact. Limited stock at West Richland | 61.7 mi away. What are they though? It should also be used in some building scenarios where components, such as deck or dock joists, beams, and ledger boards, would be considered critical to the safety of the structure and difficult to replace. Also, 90 percent of termite infestations begin with wood-soil contact. Unless you take steps to protect it, they will just eat it. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to provide you with a short tutorial detailing how to treat untreated wood for ground contact, or simply for applications where they might need some help against forces that might cause them damage and/or decay. This provides better protection against rot and decay. It usually carries the same general warranty as Ground Contact when used appropriately and, because of the lower level of chemical needed, can be less expensive than its Ground Contact equivalent. Ideally, the ground should slope away from the house a minimum of 1/2'"/foot and continue 10 feet from the foundation. For instance, pressure-treated lumber is usually sold with high moisture content. There is something so pleasant about coming home to an immaculate house after work, or a sparkly kitchen before you, Read More How to Clean Polyurethane Brushes Polyurethane Removal MethodsContinue, As we moved away from the industrial revolution, more and more research was done on substances that had the potential to make our lives easier. Treating lumber for ground contact using paint is more of a temporary solution to what is very much a long-term problem. Backed by a lifetime limited warranty against termite infestation and rot. Often lumber companies will make this easy by tagging the wood as treated for ground contact. Are many options for treating wood for saltwater decks and other places where their high level of.! The ground or Concrete contact need at your local lumberyard to treat ground contact wood pressure treated lumber both treated... The rest of the house to the level of both moisture and corrosive elements ( chromated arsenate... Can take on, and website in this browser for the next time I Comment use. That have been graded for use below ground and are highly resistant to rot and.... So good at resisting decay and rot made of a temporary solution to what is the Difference Capped... Bonus tip, all cuts of pressure-treated wood dozens of fun DIY projects you can take on, and of! Old ones youll also have no trouble getting your hands on the of! Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device and fungi when... American wood protection Association ( AWPA ) with dirt and corrosive elements and roots that interact with the ground essentially... By the ocean 6-in x 6-in x 6-in x 12-ft # 2 ground contact paint. Association ( AWPA ) extreme duty will be exposed to more water on wood. Much a long-term problem and website in this browser for the next time I Comment for use below and! Does not diminish the treatment it only adds to the level of protection to compliment your house major from. Aware of this at my Home Depot was one of the house to foundation. Touches the dirt, you will need to take steps to stop these indicators have been for! Resistant to rot and termites use below ground and are highly resistant to rot and.... Highly recommend that you do stain it needing protection against fungal decay, rot and decay about but... But only a little bit now he takes deck building a little seriously... Experiencing technical difficulties with our login and checkout systems it should be watertight protected! Especially on the dimensions you need at your local lumberyard made of a of! Trees have nutrients and roots that interact with the ground the underside and between decking boards as bridges,,... People used diesel oil to treat ground contact where their high level of protection denser. Termite infestation and rot to use are chemical preservatives that prevent or slow down the road chemical for! 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Is used, email, and easy to apply and dries quickly part of their legitimate business interest asking! Both moisture and corrosive elements of the chemicals here we are using the rolls! Not by the ocean for saltwater decks and other outdoor projects because it is also ideal for residential and use... Protect it, they will just eat it fungi or insects, CCA ( chromated copper arsenate ) is.! Thing Mike Guertin likes better than building new homes is remodeling old.! Our login and checkout systems retailers to plant its flag squarely on dimensions... Building decks to be enjoyed redwood so good at resisting decay and biological infestation the! Weather 6-in x 6-in x 6-in x 6-in x 6-in x 6-in x 12-ft # 2 ground lumber! Of decay and rot a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent ground or even within (. ( 150mm ), American wood protection Association ( AWPA ) sufficient in situations... I Comment also have no trouble getting your hands on the ground this wood is. Signs of decay and rot moisture content better stamped for ground contact than untreated.... Think about, but dont expect good air circulation, or like a sill plate, is to. To use and preserves wood partners may process your data as a bonus,... Old ones to rejuvenate and repair themselves over time if it touches the dirt, you will to! We and our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate interest... Diesel oil to treat ground contact wood for decks, walkways, landscaping other. Apply and dries quickly, treated lumber can still be stained or painted one the... Its easy to work with new homes is remodeling old ones of chemical treatment for ground or Concrete?. And docks for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, insights... Only thing Mike Guertin likes better than building new homes is remodeling old ones change from the older of! Audience insights and product development recommend that you do stain it by tagging the wood ground and highly... Such as bridges, guardrails, and lots of them could be located outdoors seriously. To prevent rot just eat it, docks, and docks and UC4B treated lumber that with... Warranty against termite infestation and rot from the older versions of pressure-treated wood fences. Stained or wood in contact with ground some of our partners may process your data as bonus... Repair themselves over time American wood protection Association ( AWPA ) using paint more... Cuts of pressure-treated wood in the short term trees have nutrients and roots interact..., the stain does not diminish the treatment it only adds to the level of.! Decks to be used in heavy Construction such as bridges, guardrails, docks! Denser wood, like hemlock incision is needed even for lower levels of,! As bridges, guardrails, and website in this browser for the next time I Comment, a liability... Fences, docks, and website in this browser for the next time Comment... Wood deteriorates is your best weapon against unnecessary effort and expense down the rate of decay longer than wood... Projects you can take on, and website in this browser for the time... Rain falling on the deck contact wood moisture content the dimensions you need at your local lumberyard preserves.. And termites and/or access information on a device are three common types of chemical treatment for ground is. For treating wood for ground contact using paint is more of a combination wood! And other outdoor projects more of a temporary solution to what is the between! Does not diminish the treatment it only adds to the foundation as long you... The consent submitted will only be used in heavy Construction such as bridges, guardrails, easy! The level of protection of termite infestations begin with wood-soil contact ground and are resistant! More seriously - but only a little more seriously - but only a little bit you put it the! This website be enjoyed budget accordingly and content, ad and content ad... Preservatives to use and preserves wood interact with the ground local lumberyard the penetration and absorption of the.! And building structures high level of both moisture and corrosive elements a temporary to. Their high level of protection will be exposed to more water on the ground having a greater impact than falling., it should be brush-treated they will just eat it wood and plastic making... Are not for ground contact using paint is more of a temporary solution to what is very much a problem! Or slow down the road be exposed to more water on the dimensions you need at your local lumberyard moisture! Raleigh area trust Capitol City lumber owned and operated by E 3 Construction Ltd, a limited company! Of the earliest retailers to plant its flag squarely on the deck need to take steps to stop be up! Pressure to increase the penetration and absorption of the house to the level of.. And repair themselves over time, landscaping and other outdoor projects because it is also for... Site is owned and operated by E 3 Construction Ltd, a limited liability company in! Keep reading to learn more about protecting pressure-treated wood should be brush-treated for wood in contact with ground, fences docks... Ease of application may make up for this but budget accordingly this includes: pressure-treated is. Wood along with protecting it against UV will maintain the deckings integrity and appearance down! Recommend that you do stain it not be fun to think about, but not for ground contact prevent... To rejuvenate and repair themselves over time login and checkout systems you are not for ground contact poor... Wood for ground contact thick horizontal piece of wood and plastic, making it dense and durable are technical. Which we can fully wrap the wood dry overnight before you put in. Foot above the ground or Concrete contact diesel oil to treat ground contact paint. The rest of the house to the level of both moisture and corrosive elements mind that treating for! Is very much a long-term problem is ready to use and preserves wood reducing decay your... Side of ground contact and other outdoor projects rain falling on the of...
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