Questions tagged [pressure-treated]

Wood that has been treated to resist rot and insects, and thus can be used outdoors. Use in conjunction with questions about the wood and its uses. Please include any relevant project tags as well (such as [fence] or [deck])

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What lumber should I use for framing a ground level deck, and where should I source it? [closed]

I’m building a ground level deck in San Diego and trying to source suitable framing lumber. I understand that ground contact rated pressure treated lumber is required, but I’m under the impression ...
ipetrik's user avatar
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Can I use old fence boards for building raised garden vegetable beds?

I'm in the process of replacing an old fence and I want to reuse the fence boards and posts to build some vegetable beds. I've read online that the type of wood is important for veg beds, as older ...
jimfelix's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
464 views

I'm using 2x12 for steps. At 4 feet, do I need a center support?

I'm using 2x12 for steps. At 4 feet, do I need a center support?
Jojo Dancer's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Best stain for a deck made of pressure treated wood

We recently got our deck redone with new planks of pressure-treated wood. We were advised by the contractor to give the planks 6 months before staining. It's time now. We live in central Indiana. The ...
Vick Gower's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
752 views

Building shower curb directly on concrete

I am getting ready to remodel my basement shower and wanted to get everyone's input on building up the shower curb. My shower is located in the basement where the floor is concrete. My concern was ...
Andrew's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
558 views

Is this pressure treated wood safe? [closed]

I just heard that Pressure Treated wood is not safe and can increase the risk of cancer. I am a DIYer, and very new to the field. once I heard that I started googling and apparently there are ...
asmgx's user avatar
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1 answer
197 views

Pressure treated plywood sold as exterior-rated but stamped as exposure 1 - safe to use for outdoor deck/roof?

I bought this plywood and it came very wet so I don't doubt that it is actually GC treated plywood; however, the stamp on it says exposure 1 despite Home Depot's website saying it's exterior rated. I'...
g491's user avatar
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1 answer
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Should GC "Exposure 1" 3/4-in plywood be let to dry before screwing down as a deck / flat roof?

I'm wondering if shrinkage or warping will be a concern here such that I should let it dry first. It'll be covered by 30lb roofing felt, then roll roofing, then that sealed with Henry's 884 and 887 ...
g491's user avatar
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Patio roof posts are deforming

A few weeks ago, I replaced my rotten patio roof posts with pressure treated 4x4s. Now, they are starting to deform. One bent in a U-shape, the other one is bending like an accordion under the weight. ...
mitchkman's user avatar
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1 answer
4k views

Latex paint or oil paint for pressure treated wood outdoors

I recently bought some fence panels like the ones shown here: It is my intention to paint them white. However I am finding it difficult to get consistent information on best practice. As far as I ...
Chris Melville's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
3k views

Pressure Treated wood joists rotten or just aged

The contractor I hired is using these PT Douglas Fir joists. They look old. he says they are structurally sound just discolored. I took a screwdriver and poked the joist and it did not sink in at all. ...
Cecilia's user avatar
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2 answers
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Cement vs pressure treated lumber porch [closed]

I'm looking to build an enclosed porch between two doors on the side of my house, and I've had contractors opt to either use a 12" concrete slab, or concrete/helical piles with pressure treated ...
Luke D's user avatar
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1 answer
2k views

Should cut ends of pressure-treated lumber be treated again for ground contact?

There are a lot of paint-on products for treating the cut ends of pressure-treated lumber. However all of the products that I can find are rated for above-ground use only. PT lumber comes in "...
RibaldEddie's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
343 views

Should I let 2x4 pressure treated sleepers for composite deck warp/weather/dry before install

I am going to install composite decking on pressure treated 2x4 sleepers. The composite decking is attached via clips that slide in a groove of the composite decking. The clips only screw into the ...
Fresh Codemonger's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
919 views

Will wood glue hold on pressure treated lumber for exterior barn doors?

I have a bunch of 5/4” x 6” x 8’ severe weather pressure treated boards from Lowe’s and was going to wood glue them together and then trim it out with 3/4” x 4” pressure treated wood boards I have. I ...
Irish Redneck's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
592 views

Post protector (or something else) to extend life of existing deck 4x4 posts?

I'm resurfacing a deck. It was built 19-20 years ago. Had an inspection and was recommended to replace 4x4 direct-bury posts with 6x6 with concrete piers/footings. This work isn't as simple as ...
Joe's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
48 views

How to treat wood to use in a deck

I'd like to build a small (6'x8') floating deck for my yard. The deck would be resting on gravel. Ideally I'd like to use pressure treated wood, but a few of the pieces will need cuts, and my local ...
dB''s user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
6k views

Glue or fill crack in pressure treated post?

I installed this 6x6 pressure treated post last year. The only load on it is a hammock. It has developed a large split. Should I use an exterior wood filler to fill it, or waterproof wood glue and ...
Evil Elf's user avatar
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OK to forego vapor barrier under concrete slab if pressure-treated sill plate is used along with sill gasket?

Is it OK to forego installing a vapor barrier beneath a concrete slab (garden shed foundation) under the following set of circumstances? there will never be any flooring material placed on the slab ...
mr blint's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Waiting a year before applying semi-solid stain to new treated pine deck?

We had a new pressure-treated pine deck installed about six months ago. I know the wood has aged/dried enough to take a semi-ttransparent stain. But we prefer the appearance of a semi-solid stain like ...
bryanj's user avatar
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1 answer
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Are metal anchors or buried posts better for 6 x 6 posts for a pavilion?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to set 6 x 6 posts for a pavilion. I'm considering the two methods below. I know they both have their good and bad points. I believe the first will extend the ...
Brian Kalski's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
315 views

Raised shed floor

Did I make a error? Should my joists be pressure treated?
mrlayance's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
203 views

Will salty water from ice melt harm a wooden porch?

I rebuilt our covered porch out of pressure treated lumber a couple of summers ago. This past summer, we retreated it with Thompson's Water Seal. It's now winter, and we've actually had a cold spell ...
FreeMan's user avatar
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1 answer
480 views

Will pressure-treated lumber shrink enough to cause failure of roof flashing around it?

We need to replace the flat roof on our balcony deck. In the process we also need to replace the balcony deck railing. The salesman for our contractor recommended a wooden railing to match what we ...
bryanj's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Should I put a moisture barrier between a single ply of pressure treated (PT) plywood and a second non-PT ply when constructing a shed?

I am building a shed. The floor consists of 4x4 PT runners, 2x8 PT girders, and 3/4" PT Plywood flooring. Anytime in the past, when I have laid PT lumber next to non-PT lumber, there is mold/...
Rick Ellis's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
533 views

Galvanized fasteners into exterior concrete - good enough for 20+ years? Or stainless?

Planning to attach pressure treated wood sleepers to a concrete patio and put deck boards over them. I'm trying to decide on what fastener material is best to attach the sleepers to the concrete. This ...
StayOnTarget's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
5k views

Why is my new pine fence turning black? Can I stain right over it without creating a bigger future headache?

We put in a new pine fence about 2-3 months ago. (Southern Yellow Pine, from Lowes. They called it “Severe Weather Pressure Treated Pine”) I have been trying to stain/seal it for the past month and a ...
user2831690's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

White mold or fungus on PT lumber

I'm building a wooden fence and have a number of 4x4 pressure treated lumber stacked neatly in my garage. I've been pulling posts from the stack as I work on the fence over the last 4 weeks. When I ...
psaxton's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
12k views

Can pressure treated wood be buried in concrete?

I was planning a relatively simple, 6x8ft "2-post" pavilion, just a small structure to provide protection to a small bench. This design would require to bury the wood into the concrete ...
Alessio Sangalli's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
316 views

How can I quickly seal wet pressure-treated plywood?

I am replacing the floor in my camper and want to use 3/4" pressure-treated plywood but I want to apply some water sealer before I lay it down. Is there a way I can do this without waiting a lengthy ...
Steve Salowitz's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
387 views

Treehouse ladder - 12ft and corrosion resistant from pressure treated wood?

I'm designing an elevated deck/swingset combo and am trying to figure out how I'm going to build the ladder. But I've got a couple of challenges. One is that the main posts will be ground-contact ...
RandomEngy's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Can I combine 2x4 lumber to build posts for barn?

Designing a barn/out-building for my off-grid place. Essentially this is an open structure (think of sticks with a roof), but part of which is a shed. The problem is, the longer poles will need to be ...
Kerry Thomas's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
126 views

Painting Pressure Treated Wood | Outdoor Steps Application

I am needing to rebuild some stairs (3 steps), and the previous owner has a great colour scheme going on the house, and I want to maintain that. Now, my wife and I like to do builds/projects that are ...
J Crosby's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is there a test to determine if a nail is galvanized or not?

I bought a nailer which came with some old nails that I'm going to use for a shed floor into pressure treated wood. As you can see, they kinda look galvanized. They have that grey patina. But other ...
brentonstrine's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
9k views

Is it normal for pressure-treated lumber to warp?

I recently bought some pressure treated yellow pine for building some window boxes. After building them, I sealed them with a product that would protect the wood for 3-4 years, according to the can. ...
A. Rippingale's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
695 views

replacing pressure treated 1x4 boards on roof with non-pressure treated white pine - OK?

On an 85 year old house there are pressure treated 1x4s running horizontally across the rafters, and the plywood sheathing is laid on top of those 1x4s. I have to replace some of these 1x4s but there ...
Craig  Hicks's user avatar
3 votes
5 answers
25k views

Should bottom wall plates in a basement be treated lumber?

Question for those who are well versed in framing and then maybe some code as well. I got into a discussion the other day between a couple other trades, they were suggesting I was wasting my time ...
CCCBuilder's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can stainless steel or galvinized screws be used indoors on non-pressure treated wood?

I assume yes and there is no harm or downside, besides these screws being more expensive than non-coated screws.
jordan's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Galvanized nails for ACQ treated lumber = must be hot dipped, or not?

We're having some construction done requiring treated soleplates on concrete slab. As such, galvanized nails were used. However, they don't appear to be hot-dipped. My understanding (going back ...
DA01's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How do I protect the front side of a wood retaining wall?

I have a wood retaining wall made of 3x12 pressure-treated boards similar to the one pictured here. The backside has MiraDrain and 3/4" drainage rock. I have an excess of earth to manage and one ...
dabi's user avatar
  • 900
15 votes
2 answers
5k views

Are pressure-treated posts that have been submerged for a few days ruined?

I dug holes for four 8' 4x4 posts, and had the posts positioned and plumbed vertically in the holes, but had to leave for a couple days before I could concrete them in. In the meantime, storms came ...
Kerry Thomas's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Will 2x4 remain straight?

I was able to straighten a slightly warped 10-foot piece of pressure-treated wood with clamps. Will it warp again? If so, is there anything I can do so that it doesn’t warp? This 2x4 is being used ...
rbhat's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
62 views

Best way to make sturdy Fence post for aluminum sign?

I'm looking at putting some posts up for No-Smoking signs at a local club frequented by a couple hundred kids a weekend + their families. One guy recommended Treated lumber, but I heard it'll eat ...
RLZaleski's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
3k views

Concrete post base wood too tight

I'm using the Simpson PB66Z "Galvanized Post Base" to attach my pressure treated 6x6 to the footing. The wood seems to be slightly too large to fit such that the bottom of the post rests on the metal. ...
Norman's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
80 views

Protect screws in joint and make it look nicer?

So this is what the joint looks like. It's solid, but as you can see, the screws are exposed so they'll be rusting pretty soon. Also, the joint looks horrible. It's PT wood. What can I buy to make ...
rbhat's user avatar
  • 2,043
2 votes
1 answer
327 views

Winterizing new wet-treated pressure treated pine deck

We’re in a townhome and replaced our small 2nd floor deck/porch with wet-treated pressure treated pine 3-4 weeks ago. We had to do it well in advance of the other units for safety reasons. There’s a ...
Erin's user avatar
  • 43
2 votes
2 answers
153 views

I spend long time in picking lumber. What do you look for when selecting boards?

I typically spend very long time in front of the lumber aisles inspecting boards. Many times I end up not getting anything after all because I thought all boards are imperfect. I see pros spent few ...
Andrew Hanson's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
4k views

How to mate two pressure-treated 2x6s together?

I want to mate two 2x6s pressure-treated boards (span = 8') so that I can use them as a beam for my ground-level floating deck. Should I use a construction adhesive? Anything special given that the ...
Andrew Hanson's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
3k views

Prevent cupping and splitting of wet PT deck boards?

Building a deck now in hot South Carolina. I purchased #1 premium deck boards very nice appearance no knots etc.. The boards are very wet and even though I was sure to put them in the bark up ...
Kris's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
57 views

Are there any health concerns around treated wood?

Last weekend I received a pallet of freshly pressure treated (still wet) green Wolmanit feather-edge cladding. I have started to apply it to various buildings. Obviously I am handling it with bare ...
Digital Lightcraft's user avatar