How to Store Pressure Treated Wood

Storing pressure-treated wood is simple and can be done in several ways. However, it’s important to remember that not all types of pressure-treated wood should be stored the same way. The best thing you can do is find out what type your lumber is and follow the instructions for storage accordingly.

For example, if you have cypress wood, store it away from things like concrete or other moisture-rich environments because this will cause mold growth on your material.

Additionally, always stack boards to not warp because pressure treatment prevents them from warping when exposed to water or freezing temperatures. If you follow these guidelines on how to store pressure treated wood, then storing your lumber shouldn’t pose any problems at all! 

How to Store Pressure Treated Wood

10 Reasons Why You Should Store Pressure Treated Wood:

  1. Prevent insect infestation
  2. Prevents the growth of mold and mildew
  3. Keeps pests such as roaches, ants, and termites away from your home or building
  4. To prevent pressure treated wood from warping and cupping after it has dried out
  5. Prevents pressure-treated wood from deteriorating
  6. Keeps pressure-treated wood in optimal condition for any application
  7. Pressure-treated wood has a limited life span (15 to 20 years) and needs to be stored properly before it is used
  8. Storing pressure-treated wood keeps it out of landfills
  9. Storing pressure-treated wood keeps it out of waterways, which can cause contamination to drinking water sources
  10. Storing pressure-treated wood increases the resale value of your home or building

What Tools and Supplies You’ll Need:

  • Roll of Liner Paper or Plastic Sheeting
  • Plastic washtub to hold the liner paper or plastic sheeting
  • A rotary cutter, scissors, or utility knife
  • Twist ties for securing the liner paper
  • A large container to fit your treated wood pieces

Step by Step Guide: How to Store Pressure Treated Wood

Step One: 

Buy a roll of liner paper. This type of paper is designed to cover materials that may come into contact with moisture, such as pressure-treated lumber or landscaping timbers. It’s important not to confuse liner paper with regular construction paper. Additionally, liner paper is designed to resist tearing, unlike regular construction paper, which can easily be ripped or damaged.

Step Two: 

Purchase two or three rolls of twine to store your pressure-treated wood. Twine is an inexpensive and readily available option at most hardware stores. However, it comes in spools of varying lengths, so you should purchase twine that is longer than the area where you will be storing your pressure-treated wood.

Step Three:  

Cover your pressure-treated wood with liner paper using the twine as a tie. Start by unrolling the liner paper slightly and securing each end of the roll to stakes or other immovable objects (trees, posts, building corners, etc.), then continue covering your pressure-treated lumber until it’s completely covered.

Then take your twine and run it horizontally across the liner paper, slightly spaced apart. Next, tie this twine around your pressure-treated lumber to secure the wood to the liner paper. Then take the other roll of twine and do the same thing vertically on each side.

Step Four: 

Secure your pressure-treated lumber to a structure using twine or rope. This is helpful if you have an area where the wood will be in direct sunlight, or it might blow around, etc. Simply run your twine or rope from one stake on the pressure-treated lumber to another so that the wood is tight and secured at both ends. If your pressure-treated lumber is too long to tie altogether around stakes, secure it as best you can so that the wood does not bend or break.

Step Five:  

Store your pressure-treated lumber. Be sure to store it in a dry area where no pesticides are sprayed on the wood and from direct sunlight. It is recommended to store pressure-treated lumber in a covered area, such as between two walls.

Be sure to store it in a dry area where no pesticides are sprayed on the wood and from direct sunlight

Step Six: 

Check on your pressure-treated wood periodically to ensure it is in good condition. You can do this by unrolling the liner paper slightly and checking for any moisture, mildew, or mold appearing anywhere on the material. If you find none (and it’s been at least six months), you can rest assured your wood is safe and sound.

Step Seven:

Replace the liner paper if it becomes torn or ripped. This is necessary because once the surface of the pressure-treated lumber becomes damaged, moisture will form and mildew or mold can begin to grow on the wood.

Fortunately, replacing the liner paper is easy and inexpensive. Unroll what remains of your old liner paper, and secure a new rollover of the pressure-treated lumber about eight to twelve inches from where the old one ends. This will prevent it from moving around as you tie it with twine, just like you did before.

Step Eight:

If your pressure-treated lumber is visibly damaged, it’s time to replace it. If you find that your pressure-treated wood is already showing signs of damage or wear, or if it has been left outside for a longer period (more than two years), then it’s probably time to replace it altogether.

Otherwise, if you store your pressure-treated wood properly, it can last for years outside with no problems. These materials are engineered to be rot-resistant, so just follow these simple steps when storing the lumber, and it should last for years to come.

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How Long Can You Store Pressure Treated Wood?

should not be used in home construction or outdoor projects

Pressure-treated wood should not be used in home construction or outdoor projects until at least three days after treatment. If you’re planning on storing your pressure-treated lumber longer than that, here are a few tips for keeping it safe and sound. The most important thing to remember is that you should never store your pressure-treated wood above ground level.

Wood can absorb water very quickly if it’s stored under these conditions, which significantly shortens the life of the lumber. If you need to keep your treated wood stored above ground, make sure to protect it from rainfall by covering it with plastic sheeting or tarps. How to Build a Small Deck | This Old House In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to build a small, simple on-grade deck.

Pressure-treated wood should always be stored in a dry area with adequate ventilation, like under the eaves of your home or in an equipment barn where there are no stalls close by.

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when storing pressure-treated wood. The most important thing is to make sure the boards are completely dry before stacking them for storage, or they may rot and become unusable. You also want to store your pile in an area that isn’t too hot or cold, which will speed up drying time. If you follow these tips closely, then your board should last much longer!

In conclusion, it is essential to store pressure-treated wood in a cool and dry place. This will help the material last for many years. It’s also worthwhile to invest in high-quality lumber if you’re going to be using the product regularly, as this will ensure that your project comes out looking great! We hope this article on how to store pressure treated wood has given you some insights to help lengthen the life of your material.

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Jennifer Branett
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