Life of Power Line Poles?

[Ted Summey]

The poles have an Osmose tag on them. I searched the web and found that according to them, I live in what they call Zone 4 for pole longevity. Their site says 44 ish years up to 100 years. Wish I could get fence posts to last that long.

I think I will think of something else to worry about.

 

[coobie]

Being a retired electric lineman I have replaced poles that were still from the 1930,s and 40,s.The poles had round copper tags nailed to the pole stating what month and year they were installed.I retired last year.

 

[paulharvey]

The poles have an Osmose tag on them. I searched the web and found that according to them, I live in what they call Zone 4 for pole longevity. Their site says 44 ish years up to 100 years. Wish I could get fence posts to last that long.

I think I will think of something else to worry about.

Some power companies will sell old poles removed for conflicts, road moves ect. I think mine sells for $0.80/Lf; you cut, load, haul from their pole yard. That's cheap lumber when you think about the price of even a 6-8" 8 ft gate/corner post.

 

[Bird]

Some power companies will sell old poles removed for conflicts, road moves ect. I think mine sells for $0.80/Lf; you cut, load, haul from their pole yard. That's cheap lumber when you think about the price of even a 6-8" 8 ft gate/corner post.

One of my brothers bought two of them a few years ago and I hauled them home for him using a hay trailer. Then we used them to build a foot bridge across a small bit of water, part of his pond. Very cheap way to go.

 

[Bird]

Some power companies will sell old poles removed for conflicts, road moves ect. I think mine sells for $0.80/Lf; you cut, load, haul from their pole yard. That's cheap lumber when you think about the price of even a 6-8" 8 ft gate/corner post.

One of my brothers bought two of them a few years ago and I hauled them home for him using a hay trailer. Then we used them to build a foot bridge across a small bit of water, part of his pond. Very cheap way to go.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Our access poles were installed about 1970. Mine is still standing; the neighbor's fell over a couple years ago. The maintenance crew told me that they used to treat the poles with creosote, and they last almost indefinitely. The stuff they use now is good for 30-40 years.

 

[tallyho8]

We have some very old poles in our neighborhood because they aren't replaced until they fall down or are knocked down. That way the utility company has insurance pay to replace them.

If you pay attention when you drive down the road you will see all creosote treated poles until you come to a curve in the road where you will see Osmose treated poles. Cars tend to knock down poles in the curves more often.

 

[Bigfoot62]

The pole out front is an original, from when electricity was first offered in our rural community. (1948-49) (my mother was a Jr. or Sr. in high school)
The pole that has the transformer on it that serves my house, was put here about 22 years ago. It is a Penta treated pole that is literally falling apart. I've mentioned it to the utility company, but they've done nothing about it yet. That really bothers me, because the service pole at my parents' home fell a few months ago. It damaged the service entrance (meter loop, roof jack, etc) and the utility company said they weren't responsible for the damages.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just love the smell of creosote! Our poles have that preservative and are from the early 70s. I just got an old creosote pole from a friend to use as a clothes line pole. I put a plastic barrel just sticking up above ground and filled it with stone, hoping to avoid that rot at ground level problem, even though it would have still outlived me if I hadn't have done that.

 

[tcartwri]

Our first pole barn was built with used hydro poles. They were still 90% there in terms of diameter. That barn is now 25 years old. No issues.

Totally depends on what soil they are put into.