To treat your own wood posts, you can apply a specific wood preservative to the section that will be in contact with the ground. This helps protect the wood from decay and insects.
DIY Wood Post Treatment Method
While professional wood treatment often involves pressure methods for deep penetration, you can treat wood posts yourself to add a layer of protection. Keep in mind that treating the wood yourself doesn't always have the same results, since the preservative can't penetrate the wood as far as commercial processes.
However, if you want to treat the post yourself, follow this general approach based on common practices and the provided reference:
Recommended Steps:
- Select a Preservative: Choose a suitable wood preservative. The provided reference suggests brush the bottom half with a wood preservative such as waterborne copper naphthenate. This type of preservative is designed to protect wood from rot and insects, particularly for ground-contact applications.
- Prepare the Post: Ensure the section of the post you are treating is clean and dry.
- Apply the Preservative: Following the manufacturer's instructions exactly, apply the chosen preservative. The reference specifically instructs to brush the bottom half of the post. Focus the application on the portion of the post that will be below or just above ground level, as this is the most vulnerable section.
- Follow Manufacturer's Instructions: This is crucial. Preservative application methods, required number of coats, drying times, and safety precautions vary significantly by product. Always adhere strictly to the instructions provided by the preservative manufacturer.
Important Considerations
As mentioned in the reference, DIY treatment by brushing may not penetrate the wood deeply compared to industrial pressure treatment. This means the protection might not last as long as commercially treated lumber, especially in harsh ground-contact conditions. For critical structural applications or areas with high decay risk, professionally treated wood is often recommended.
Remember to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area when applying wood preservatives.
