If you are using Red Cedar post they will last about 15 to 20 years (Western Red Cedar). A lot of the non-aromatic cedars are not very decay resistant. If you can smell the Cedar then it is aromatic and will resist decay.
Also to know is, how long will a cedar post last in concrete?
In Colorado, which is mostly arid except during the monsoon season, I generally replace Western Red Cedar fence posts after about 30 – 40 years because they rot in the ground. It happens much more quickly if they were set in concrete. Even PT set in concrete only lasts about 10 years around here.
how do you keep fence posts from rotting in the ground? Cut the fence post tops to the desired height with a reciprocating saw, cutting at a slight angle so water runs off the tops instead of pooling up and absorbing into the wood. Brush the waterborne copper naphthenate wood preservative onto the top of the fence posts where the fresh cut reveals exposed, untreated wood.
Also to know is, will cedar posts rot in the ground?
If your cedar wooden fence posts are rotting at the bottom, you need to replace them. The rot probably developed because the posts were installed improperly. Cedar has a reputation for durability, but unless a few guidelines are followed, cedar posts can fail in as few as five years.
How long does a pressure treated post last in the ground?
The Forest Products Laboratory and other research groups have shown that treated wood stakes placed in the ground for more than 40 years remain rot-free. But young pressure-treated decks, many less than 10 years old, are being shoveled into landfills.
14 Related Question Answers Found
Does Cedar rot in concrete?
Where the concrete stops and the soil contacts the wood will be where the cedar will start to degrade. The concrete would need to be poured even with the finish grade to minimize the chance of rot. And if the soil drains poorly, the concrete will absorb moisture, expediting decomposition.
Does a cedar mailbox post need to be treated?
Also, a cedar mailbox and post is naturally insect and decay resistant. Over time, it will slowly continue to develop its own unique, natural color and can be treated occasionally with a standard wood or deck sealer to preserve a newer appearance.
How can I make cedar last longer?
Treating Cedar With Primer and Paint Paint is your best option for treating cedar if your only intent is protection. Paint’s solids ward off light, and light is the main contributor to the deterioration of cedar. Lighter colors last longer since they reflect light more efficiently than darker colors.
How long will Oak last in the ground?
Durability is a measurement of how long specific species of timber would last if a 50mm x 50mm cross section was left in the ground unprotected. An untreated Oak beam, which is classed as ‘durable’, for example, will last 15-25 years depending on environmental conditions.
Is Cedar OK for ground contact?
Western Red Cedar, while somewhat weather resistant (old growth, heart wood only), is not for ground contact. It will rot within a few years. Way too expensive for short life.
How do you protect wood from concrete?
Concrete will allow water or water vapour to move through it quite easily, so any wood in contact with concrete must either be pressure treated wood, or you should have a plastic separator between the wood and the concrete.
Should fence posts be set in concrete?
Setting Fence Posts in Concrete Concrete is the most secure material for setting fence posts, especially if you have sandy soil. Gravel may be okay with dense, clay-heavy soil, but in looser soil, concrete is the only thing that will truly keep your fence posts stuck in place.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
The minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for panel sections is 2 feet. A general formula is to dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has, but you must also purchase longer posts.
How do I keep my cedar post from rotting?
You can protect cedar posts by soaking the ends in a bucket filled with copper napthenate (Jasco, Copper Green Wood Preservative and others). It takes time for the chemical to fully penetrate, but a soaking treatment will deter pests and water rot for years.
Do cedar posts need to be treated?
In fence posts, cedar lasts several years without rotting; however, they are less durable against soil than pressure treated pine (in posts). For this reason, it may be a good idea to use pressure treated pine for the posts and cedar for the rest of the fence.
Can you put cedar posts in concrete?
Cedar is a fairly soft wood. Expansion and contraction will cause the post to work against the concrete. While roofing asphalt will isolate the post from direct contact, it will also seal the bottom of the post. Moisture will collect at the bottom and will not be able to escape.
How do you secure a wood post in the ground?
Project Instructions Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Set the post into the hole and attach 2×4 braces to adjacent sides of the post.
How long will untreated cedar last?
Fences made of untreated cedar can last between 15 and 30 years, depending on how well you care for it and the specific cedar species used. If it’s treated, a cedar fence may last up to 40 years. Cedar consistently outlasts other wood species. A spruce fence typically lasts only four to seven years.
How do you set a 4×4 post?
Method 1 Setting the Post in Soil or Gravel Try this method if you have dense soil. Choose a durable fence post. Prep the wood against moisture (optional). Dig the hole. Drop gravel into the hole. Position the post in the hole. Fill the hole with tamped crushed stone or soil. Finish with a small hillock.