Wooden posts that have been planted in the ground will begin to rot once the base absorbs water. When the wooden posts start to rot, you can just throw them away and plug in new posts. Fortunately, there are a few precautions to take to ensure that your wooden posts won't rot in the ground, and will last for years. Make sure you use solid hardwood as a post and reinforce it. After that, if wooden posts are used to support the weight, you can bury the base with cement.
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Method 1 of 3: Choosing the Type of Wood for the Pole
Step 1. Choose yellow pine for an easy-to-reinforce wood option
Although pine wood is not very hard, it is very easy to strengthen and is able to absorb wood reinforcement made from industrial chemicals easily. Southern yellow pine is the type that absorbs the most chemicals easily. Other types of wood usually only absorb chemical liquids to the surface so that the interior of the wood is less strong.
You can find southern yellow pine – or any other wood – at your nearest hardware store or wood cutting center
Step 2. Opt for white cedar or black locust if you are concerned about mildew
In damp, dark areas, mold is one of the main causes of pole rot. White cedar and black locust are usually immune to fungal attacks of all kinds. This makes both woods ideal choices in moist soils. Cedar wood is also ideal for fencing around the house because of its beautiful appearance and good durability.
- Because cedar is in high demand, it is more expensive than other woods, including yellow pine.
- If you live in an arid area, mildew may not be the main cause of wood post rot.
Step 3. Choose spruce and redwoods that are naturally resistant to exposure to liquids
Since this type of wood is naturally water-resistant, it is a great choice for poles. Fir has a good consistency of color, density, hardness, and texture. These factors make this wood ideal for poles.
However, even though this type of wood is naturally good at absorbing water, you should still strengthen it! Buy fir or redwood that is easy to strengthen – or do your own thing – to ensure the posts will last for years
Step 4. Do not use hard-to-reinforce wood, such as Douglas fir
Bent pine is another type of wood to avoid. Both wood has a structure that is easily attacked by bacteria and rot. In addition, Douglas fir and bent pine often release sap and are therefore more susceptible to decay than other types of wood.
- Douglas fir and crooked pine are known as “refractory” wood species. This wood usually has to be treated by a professional because the strengthening process requires an extra step that cannot be done at home.
- For example, a block of wood must be steamed to make it more receptive to the chemical preservative used.
Method 2 of 3: Selecting and Reinforcing Wooden Poles
Step 1. Choose wood that has been strengthened by the press method
When looking for a product at a wood sales center, pay attention to the writing on the label (a piece of paper attached to the base of the piece of wood). In the United States, the label usually states that the wood has been strengthened to standards by the International Code Commission (ICC), American Wood Protection Association (AWPA), or Canadian Standards Association.
Wood that has not been pressed under high pressure has a more brittle structure so that it is easily damaged by water, bacteria, insects, and other causes of decay
Step 2. Use wood labeled UC 4A or UC 4B as the best option for planting in the ground
Labels 4A or 4B must be clearly marked on the wood label. If the wood has been reinforced by AWPA, look for posts marked UC 4A or UC 4B. This indicates that the pole is specially made for planting and is resistant to decay.
- If you want to cut one or more of the wood to the size of the post, be sure to re-strengthen the cut with a copper naphthenic preservative.
- Associations other than AWPA do not give this kind of assessment to reinforced wood.
Step 3. Soak the bottom (about 30 cm) of the wooden post that has not been reinforced with wood preservative
If you buy wood that has not been strengthened – or cut the wood to change its size – you will need to re-strengthen it before burying it. Purchase a wood preservative containing copper naphthenate at a hardware store or wood dealer. Pour 0.5 liters of curing liquid into a large bucket. Place the end of the pole to be buried in the bucket and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Soaking the posts in a wood preservative can prevent them from rotting for a long time
Step 4. Apply a thick layer of curing liquid on your posts
Leave the pole in the bucket you used to soak it. Use an 8cm brush to apply a thick curing liquid to the bottom of the 1 meter long pole. Sweep the brush lengthwise and vertically, then let it dry overnight before sticking it in the ground.
If you don't coat the posts with a wood preservative, they will start to rot within 6 months even if you stick them in the mortar
Method 3 of 3: Driving the Load-bearing Poles into the Cement Mix
Step 1. Dig a hole one-quarter the height of the wooden post
For example, if you are installing a 90 cm long post, dig a 22.5 cm deep hole. This will keep the pole firmly anchored and prevent it from falling. Even if you can dig a hole with a shovel, it's a good idea to make a hole with a post-hole digger. This tool allows you to make holes 10 cm in diameter so you can stick the posts without needing to overfill the soil afterwards.
It doesn't matter whether you use wooden posts as fences or post boxes, remember that water can cause rot. The best way to prevent wooden posts from rotting in the ground is to screw them into cement
Step 2. Fill the bottom of the hole with gravel to a depth of 30 cm
Use a shovel to scoop out the gravel 3 to 4 times, then insert the material into the hole. After that, use a shovel to compact the gravel so that there are no gaps in between. A thick layer of gravel at the bottom of the pile will allow groundwater to run between the stones and away from the base of the pile.
- This will prevent the pole from rotting by keeping it dry.
- You can buy gravel at the nearest material store or at a garden supply store.
Step 3. Make a small amount of cement mortar in a wheelbarrow or automatic cement mixer
Use a cement mixture that contains small pebbles to make it more sturdy. Unpack the cement and put 3 to 4 shovels of cement into the mixer. Add 240 ml of water little by little. Stir the cement mixture with a trowel each time you add water. Cement will reach the ideal consistency when it is the same thickness as thick slurry.
If you use a cement mixer, you don't need to mix it with a shovel. Simply turn on the appliance and reverse to allow the engine to run for 5 to 8 minutes
Step 4. Insert the post into the hole so that it sits on top of the gravel pile
Make sure that the reinforced part of the post is facing down. Position the pole right in the center of the hole so that it is "surrounded" by an even layer of cement on all sides.
If any of your friends or family members are there, ask them for help with this step. The person can hold the post upright as you continue the installation process
Step 5. Put the cement into the hole until it is flush with the ground
Use a shovel to put the wet cement into the hole. Pat the cement occasionally with the tip of a trowel. This method will remove air bubbles in the cement. Continue filling the hole with cement until it is flush with the ground. After that, use a tread to smooth the top of the cement.
