How hard is decking?

subjecttocontract

I've got timber that's been in contact with the ground since 1994/95. No sign of rot yet. But they were soaked with preservative, twice, before installing. Even I'm surprised it's lasted that long.

Bradden

subjecttocontract said:

I've got timber that's been in contact with the ground since 1994/95. No sign of rot yet. But they were soaked with preservative, twice, before installing. Even I'm surprised it's lasted that long.

Going back to 94/95... In those days I'd guess the "preservative" was used engine oil.. as you've found it works a treat but isn't great for the environment.

ThisIsWeird

subjecttocontract said:

I've got timber that's been in contact with the ground since 1994/95. No sign of rot yet. But they were soaked with preservative, twice, before installing. Even I'm surprised it's lasted that long.

I, too, have a length of fence, timber posts bedded in concrete, erected before I move in (20 years ago), and never retreated by me. Solid as it ever was - literally no sign of rot in the posts or the close-boarded fence.

And then there's the fence I put up myself just over 5 years ago; timber posts (with added preservative), bedded in concrete in the ground. Come Storm Whatshisface a couple of years back, 'my' fence was flattened. Half the posts showed signs of having rotted half-way through. The 20+ year old fence is untouched.

Section62

Bradden said:

subjecttocontract said:

I've got timber that's been in contact with the ground since 1994/95. No sign of rot yet. But they were soaked with preservative, twice, before installing. Even I'm surprised it's lasted that long.

Going back to 94/95... In those days I'd guess the "preservative" was used engine oil.. as you've found it works a treat but isn't great for the environment.

And the quality of timber most people were buying was much better.