Cuprinol, creosote, or ? For post/timber protection

[sako243]

The tell tale I think is we had some 12" posts that we left for about a month in a drum of proper creosote. For one reason or another we had to trim one down where the creosote was, only the centre 1/2" wasn't soaked in creosote.

I've yet to see any alternative that soaks into timber as well as proper creosote. Water also tends to bead and run off it, when I did timber back in Surrey with it's replacement none of those things happened.

 

[Screwdriver]

Creosote is carcinogenic, does smell nice tho.

 

[Brad93]

I heard before that the 5 year guarantee is only for the colour, not the lifespan of the timber. No idea how true it is

The grey colour definitely hasn't lasted

 

[eddie49]

Postsaver sleeves then paint the rest with a paint with a wax content, I'm a big fan of ducksback.

Apparently fence posts only rot at the top layer of soil, where air, rain and bacteria can do their work; further down there's not enough air. Thus fence post "wraps" :

Buy Pro-Wrap Rot Protection From Postsaver Direct | Postsaver Shop

Buy Pro-Wrap fence post protectors and Pro-Set post setting foam to fit all post sizes. Use Postsaver for a long-life, stress-free fence.

shop.postsaver.com

Or make your own, using torch-on roofing felt, going up to 2" above ground/concrete level.

 

[RWD3M]

Still the best stuff but I thought it was made illegal for consumer use by the EU back in 2003.

Hi Alan,

You're close. They made it 'illegal' to sell in quantities less than (iirc) 25 litres. Thus, the average joe who wanted 2 five litres to his garden fence (and probably dump half of it n the ground!) wouldn't buy it, whereas the 'professionals' with all the training, knowledge and safety gear still would. Or sometning like that anyway

 

[grim_d]

Apparently fence posts only rot at the top layer of soil, where air, rain and bacteria can do their work; further down there's not enough air. Thus fence post "wraps" :

Buy Pro-Wrap Rot Protection From Postsaver Direct | Postsaver Shop

Buy Pro-Wrap fence post protectors and Pro-Set post setting foam to fit all post sizes. Use Postsaver for a long-life, stress-free fence.

shop.postsaver.com

Or make your own, using torch-on roofing felt, going up to 2" above ground/concrete level.

Yep this is true, after about 150mm below the surface the beasties can't survive. Anyone who's ever had a rotten post will note it breaks off exactly in line with the soil and leaves a stub in the ground.

The sleeves are so cheap I don't think it's worth making your own however in their absence I will soak the posts in sika preserver then paint the bottom of posts with a few nice thick coats of blackjack bitumen paint.

 

[Screwdriver]

You can also torch them. Just enough to blacken the surface. It's actually a very similar protection to creosote except only on the surface.

 

[addjunkie]

I recently bought a couple of packs of octoposts. Was using creosote posts from timber yard Before. Put a drill througha 6 inch post for a smallgate hinge. And creosote all the way through.far far better than the modern tanalized rubbish.

 

[gaz1]

The tell tale I think is we had some 12" posts that we left for about a month in a drum of proper creosote. For one reason or another we had to trim one down where the creosote was, only the centre 1/2" wasn't soaked in creosote.

I've yet to see any alternative that soaks into timber as well as proper creosote. Water also tends to bead and run off it, when I did timber back in Surrey with it's replacement none of those things happened.

easiest way to beat that is to drill a hole in center and one in the side so it can let internal air out and then it will also get the center as well

 

[brightspark]

At the risk of opening a can of worms, what PPE do you use when you spray it? I considered spraying my fences but bailed out as I wasnt sure what mask filters would be correct etc.

wouldnt fancy spraying creosote . i just use a decent size brush and put a tarp down and slap it on

 

[reb78]

wouldnt fancy spraying creosote . i just use a decent size brush and put a tarp down and slap it on

No. I'm kinda the same, just have sooo much to do sometimes it would be handy to spray.

 

[gaz1]

i sprayed it with a hand pump sprayer of coarse it would be longer by brush and i hate painting it on

so what it looks like with the sprayer expect runs at parts you need to spray in corners plastic overalls is the prefered ones and wear a face visor

 

[brightspark]

Hi Alan,

You're close. They made it 'illegal' to sell in quantities less than (iirc) 25 litres. Thus, the average joe who wanted 2 five litres to his garden fence (and probably dump half of it n the ground!) wouldn't buy it, whereas the 'professionals' with all the training, knowledge and safety gear still would. Or sometning like that anyway

im well trained and professional have all the safety gear some old overalls and some rubber gloves got 15 gallons of it at present just dont use it if its a hot day. it stinks and gives you a bad head from the fumes

 

[gaz1]

im well trained and professional have all the safety gear some old overalls and some rubber gloves got 15 gallons of it at present just dont use it if its a hot day. it stinks and gives you a bad head from the fumes

and burns like a git on red hot days if it gets onto your skin one thing i do remember well with that creosote

as it was a loverly sunny red hot day and im painting a fence too hot for gloves and too hot for overalls

 

[brightspark]

and burns like a git on red hot days if it gets onto your skin one thing i do remember well with that creosote

as it was a loverly sunny red hot day and im painting a fence too hot for gloves and too hot for overalls

so it wasnt creosote than otherwise your hands and arms would be burnt with the stuff and your eyes stinging

 

[magnet]

I used bitumous paint on my recent epic fencing job. Not cheap but does a grand job.

 

[knighty]

I remember getting creosote in my eye as a kid... I way lying down on the kitchen counter with my head under the tap when my dad pinned me down and squirted/rubbed washing up liquid in my eye :-o

 

[DAPPH]

Always also protect the part of the wooden posts that stands about a foot above the finished ground level .. this foot is known as the dew point level & it's where unprotected timber post start to rot .
Wooden telegraph & electricity wooden poles are supposed to get this area treated every seven years .. by digging out 3 inches of soil and painting or spraying approved preservative on the pole for 15 inches up from the expose soil /base , replace the sods. & tamp down

 

[awemawson]

That never happens on the electricity poles on our farm.
They do come and inspect them very occasionally, and annually cut back foliage, and once actually replaced four poles but never any maintenance as you described.

 

[gaz1]

That never happens on the electricity poles on our farm.
They do come and inspect them very occasionally, and annually cut back foliage, and once actually replaced four poles but never any maintenance as you described.

never happens on the streets either you can smell the creosote and see it leeching out of the wood pole leaves a nice stain at bottom of it though