6x6 treated posts in ground

[poncho62]

Probably not popular in todays world, but a lot of old timers would soak the part of their posts that went into the ground with used motor oil. Just sayin'

 

[Rustyiron]

I've never been a fan of PT 6x6, if you've ever cut one, you can see the extent of penetration. The last few times I built with a buried post I used 3 laminated 2x6's, and that was back before the fooled around with the preservative, the CCA day's. Lately I've used a precast concrete pier of poured into sono tubes first. It's also hard to find a straight 6x6 more than 10' long, and that's before you stick it in a hole in the ground with the sun and wind drying it out :laughing:

 

[Cord]

Just so that others know, there are different levels of treatment. ACQ is the home owner stuff so the soccer moms don't freak out when little Jimmy starts sucking on the picknic table. CCA is the older arsenic bearing product that is now limited to commercial applications. The .60 level of treatment is rated for foundation use below grade. Most home center lumber is rated for ground contact or above ground use. With the foundation grade material the treatment will go all the way into the core of the wood. As mentioned, this is not true with the ACQ product when applied to larger members. I have used .60 CCA for some personal outbuilding foundations and I wouldn't hesitate to use the product again. That said, it does have it's limitations. Although permitted by code, I wouldn't use it on a home foundation.

 

[Rustyiron]

:thumbsup:
I am happy to see actual ground contact & burial PT lumber (in smaller dimensional lumber sizes) available, even at the HD locally.
Previously I had to order a full unit at the lumber yard to get this.

 

[SJay]

Just grab the little tag that is stapled to the end of each 6x6 - it will tell you what it is treated for - if it is confusing - just check it online with your phone.

 

[flusher]

I spray the ends and sides of 4x4 pressure treated posts that contact the ground with automobile undercoat and then set them in the hole.

 

[davedj1]

Telephone poses get creosote, just sayin'

 

[Aussiebushman]

How much room do you have around each post? I would brace one at a time with a simple wooden A-frame clamped to the post to prevent it settling while you are working on it, then dig a hole around the base just large enough to concrete in a steel support.

Cut the post just above ground level and bolt the post to the support so the pin of the support will be buried. Backfill the hole with concrete. If you use quickset, it will go off in 20 minutes and you can undo the clamp and move onto the next one

I have done this several times and it always works

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Concrete them in for even more protection.

Concrete increases decay by trapping water.

 

[Shaneard]

Concrete increases decay by trapping water.

Educate me on this. I'm willing to learn something new.