One of the best ways to prevent
Applying a good quality wood preservative or sealant to the ends can slow down the absorption of moisture and help prevent rot from setting in.
Softwood that is left untreated will still last around two to five years, which is why all of our softwood sleepers have been treated for longevity. We also supply hardwood sleepers, with oak sleepers ranging from 15 to 20 years and European oak sleepers lasting for 20 years.
To preserve the sleepers further, we would recommend treating them with an exterior wood oil or decking oil, ideally twice a year in Spring and Autumn. This will help to repel water and prevent water ingress, the main cause of wood rot.
As mentioned, sleepers can be treated with a variety of wood care products including wood stains, preservers, oils and garden paints. For new untreated or tanalised sleepers, you can use most types of shed or fence treatments.
Simply applying a strip of Sleeper Tape® along the side of the desired area of support (rather than paint) protects the timber as it creates a strong seal from any moisture.
Wood Preserver
Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.
Softwood posts in the ground that are not treated may only last up to 6 months! Using treated posts will ensure longevity. Some fence builders will wrap the base of the post in sheet copper or galvanized steel to prolong the wood's life even further, but the consensus is that treated posts will do the trick.
Life Expectancy
Hardwood H4 Sleeper retaining walls can last 20 to 30 years.
Apply a fungicide treatment to tackle any signs of fungus or mildew present on the wood. Let the sleepers dry completely after cleaning before applying any wood preservative. Choose a wood preservative that offers protection against rot and insect damage. Barrettine and Ronseal are good options.
Retaining walls and raised beds are just two ways that these unique timber pieces allow you to enhance your garden projects. But the question is – can you lay railway sleepers on soil? The answer is – Yes you can.
1) If the oozy tar is unacceptable, (very understandable), remove the railway sleepers. There's nothing effective you can do to stop them leaking. 2) Replace them with non-creosote treated railway sleepers, whether new or used.
Treatment - the green tint is a result of deep-pressure treatment that enhances the wood's resistance to rot, fungi, and insect infestation. This treatment typically penetrates the wood more thoroughly than the surface-level treatments used for brown sleepers.
Boric acid (borate) is one of the most effective fungicides for use in treating wood rot. It can be applied to wood during construction to prevent future rot, or as a treatment to stop an active decay fungus from growing.
Minor Repairs
Remove the affected wood and apply a wood hardener to the area. This will stabilise the remaining wood and prevent further decay. For larger areas of rot, you may need to replace the entire sleeper. Taking care of minor repairs promptly prevents them from turning into major problems.
When food is submerged in vinegar (i.e. pickling), the acetic acid solution raises the acidity of the food and kills off any microorganisms that would otherwise cause the food to rot. It essentially slows down the decaying process but doesn't stop it – vinegar preserves food for about 5-6 months.
You might want to put a layer of concrete, sand or aggregate in first, but this isn't always strictly necessary. Continue around in the same way until you've got the bottom layer in place. At this point, it's worth using a spirit level to make sure all your railway sleepers are lying flat.
Generally speaking, a) hardwood railway sleepers last longer than softwood ones, b) tropical hardwood railway sleepers (Azobe & Jarrah) last longer than oak hardwood ones, (of which used creosote treated oak lasts longer than untreated new oak), c) new and top grade railway sleepers last longer than lower grade ones.
In some extreme cases you will need to replace the affected timbers. However, in most cases you can stop wet rot by treating the timber with a fungicide. The treatment of wet rot involves applying a fungicide during the drying out period.
A pressure treated fence post can generally last 10 to 25 years.
If you are looking for an invisible protective treatment for exterior wood that won't change the appearance of the wood but will help protect it from rotting, a wood oil or wood waterproofer is your best option.
Left untreated, both softwoods and hardwoods will silver over time, due to the natural tannins being bleached by water and the sun. Sleepers should not be submerged in water and for the longest life, protected from the sun by shade or with UV filtering oils or finishes.
(A) New or reproduction railway sleepers can be easily protected from the elements by sealing them with a wood oil, wood stain, exterior grade varnish, or garden paint.
A stiff brush gets into the wood's grooves, clearing out dust and small particles. Pressure washer - Ideal for blasting away years of grime, algae, and fungus. A jet wash can rejuvenate old timber sleepers quickly. Sandpaper or an electric sander - Perfect for smoothing rough spots and edges.