Don’t Preserve Wet Wood
Question
I am building a fence, and I want to put preservative on the posts. The man at the hardware store said that I can’t use the preservative on green wood, and that’s what I have.
Bob
Answer
The lighter in weight, the dryer the post. Actually, most folks equate heavy wood with strong wood, but that is not the case when wet wood is involved. After-construction drying, and the shrinkage that follows the use of green lumber, can do much to diminish the appearance or quality of your project. Since you live in California, we assume that you are using redwood, and for that reason we would not be alarmed if you elected to proceed without the chemical treatment. What ever you do, don’t use Douglas fir posts unless they are factory pressure-treated. Locally treated fir simply deteriorates much too quickly.
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