Why do fence posts rot

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Postsaver Applications. All rights Reserved. The posts stand upright best when you bury one-third of the total post length, but you might not be able to dig as deep, so a minimum of 24 inches is acceptable.

A portion of the copper naphthenate treated wood should be exposed above ground. Pack the gravel tight to form a level base with a hand tamper or the blunt end of a digging bar. Set the post in the hole while holding a level on the side to check for plumb. Tamp down the gravel. You can use concrete, if desired, but the moisture in the concrete can sometimes cause wooden posts to rot more quickly, while the gravel allows water to drain quickly away from the fence post and into the soil.

Push soil around the fence post to conceal the gravel; moist soil around the fence post can cause the post to rot, which is why you must treat a portion of the wood that is exposed above ground.

Build the soil up at a slight slope around the post to encourage drainage and prevent water from pooling up at the base of the post. 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. Apply additional coats after the first coat absorbs into the wood.

Brush copper naphthenate wood preservative into any cracks that develop anywhere on the fence post. Use a smaller brush to ensure the preservative penetrates deep into the cracks. Wood cracks naturally over time, but leaving the cracks untreated exposes the inside of the post to air and moisture that could quickly rot the wood. Healthcare Facilities Hospitals.

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