Pressure treated question

EddieWalker · Jun 1, 2006

Rob,

I wouldn't worry about Preasure Treated wood in the water unless it's illegal in your area. There are some people who think it leaches out poison and will kill your fish, but the amount that comes out is so minimal to be insignificant.

Why use 6x6 posts?

A set of 4x4 posts every six feet will give you plenty of strength and save you a bunch of money. Most patio decks are 4x4 posts and are spread out allot further than a dock will be.

There is a higher grade PT for docks, but I wouldn't worry about it for a home application.

If it was mine, I'd buy regular PT 4x4 posts, put them in the ground and pack with dirt. I'd space them four feet apart for the width of the deck and every six feet for your run.

Then a PT 2x6 across the tops of the posts and three or four across that for the run. The spacing would depend on what you want to use for deck material.

I like 12 inch centers and 5/4 PT decking.

For a dock, I'd also consider using stainless steel screws.

Have fun,
Eddie

EddieWalker · Jun 1, 2006

Rob,

I wouldn't worry about Preasure Treated wood in the water unless it's illegal in your area. There are some people who think it leaches out poison and will kill your fish, but the amount that comes out is so minimal to be insignificant.

Why use 6x6 posts?

A set of 4x4 posts every six feet will give you plenty of strength and save you a bunch of money. Most patio decks are 4x4 posts and are spread out allot further than a dock will be.

There is a higher grade PT for docks, but I wouldn't worry about it for a home application.

If it was mine, I'd buy regular PT 4x4 posts, put them in the ground and pack with dirt. I'd space them four feet apart for the width of the deck and every six feet for your run.

Then a PT 2x6 across the tops of the posts and three or four across that for the run. The spacing would depend on what you want to use for deck material.

I like 12 inch centers and 5/4 PT decking.

For a dock, I'd also consider using stainless steel screws.

Have fun,
Eddie

GabeTX · Jun 1, 2006

Try going straight to a manufacturer/pole yard. I had odd post requirements (e.g., 12' x 8", 14' x 5") for the deer fence I built, and ended up buying a truckload of posts straight from these guys: http://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/

They can pressure treat to whatever specification you want. I had my brace posts treated to .60 lbs/ft^3, which is a freshwater immersion rating. If you ask for a "marine" treatment, you'll get 2.5 lbs/ft^3, which is intended for saltwater applications.

( The chemicals used to pressure treat wood have changed recently, so I don't know if this is still the case.)
Only for PT wood intended for residential and playground use. For those applications, the industry has voluntarily switched from CCA to ACQ treatment. For commercial and aggricultural applications, CCA is still widely used.

GabeTX · Jun 1, 2006

Try going straight to a manufacturer/pole yard. I had odd post requirements (e.g., 12' x 8", 14' x 5") for the deer fence I built, and ended up buying a truckload of posts straight from these guys: http://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/

They can pressure treat to whatever specification you want. I had my brace posts treated to .60 lbs/ft^3, which is a freshwater immersion rating. If you ask for a "marine" treatment, you'll get 2.5 lbs/ft^3, which is intended for saltwater applications.

( The chemicals used to pressure treat wood have changed recently, so I don't know if this is still the case.)
Only for PT wood intended for residential and playground use. For those applications, the industry has voluntarily switched from CCA to ACQ treatment. For commercial and aggricultural applications, CCA is still widely used.

zeuspaul · Jun 1, 2006

We wrap our marine wood piles in heavy vinyl. It restricts the oxygen and the piles last a lot longer.

Zeuspaul

zeuspaul · Jun 1, 2006

We wrap our marine wood piles in heavy vinyl. It restricts the oxygen and the piles last a lot longer.

Zeuspaul

texasjohn · Jun 2, 2006

I can only give you my experience... I started building fence on my place 25 years ago... Penta treated posts were used for the corners and braces... and line posts. I am now having to go thru and replace all posts because many, many have simply rotted away.. both in and out of the ground... particularly vexing is that these WERE supposedly ground contact qualified for 30 years. I'm purchasing no more wooden posts. Am using 2400 to 2800 lb concrete culverts (defective and free from a defunct culvert manufacturer) for the corners and metal T posts along the line.

My net... drop the idea of wooden posts and go with metal or something that won't rot.

texasjohn · Jun 2, 2006

I can only give you my experience... I started building fence on my place 25 years ago... Penta treated posts were used for the corners and braces... and line posts. I am now having to go thru and replace all posts because many, many have simply rotted away.. both in and out of the ground... particularly vexing is that these WERE supposedly ground contact qualified for 30 years. I'm purchasing no more wooden posts. Am using 2400 to 2800 lb concrete culverts (defective and free from a defunct culvert manufacturer) for the corners and metal T posts along the line.

My net... drop the idea of wooden posts and go with metal or something that won't rot.

rox · Jun 2, 2006

Okay I know nothing about this but I had a wild idea.

Would it work to take culverts and use them as a form and jsut pour cement into them, and leave the culvert pipe over top of the cement? Like I said probably a dumb idea...

rox · Jun 2, 2006

Okay I know nothing about this but I had a wild idea.

Would it work to take culverts and use them as a form and jsut pour cement into them, and leave the culvert pipe over top of the cement? Like I said probably a dumb idea...