Untreated wood fence posts often last under 5 years. Rotting, warping, and splitting are the most common damages on wood fence posts. Metal or steel fence posts last the longest, up to 25 years, with minimal maintenance.
If properly treated and installed, pine fence posts can last for 20–35 years; untreated pine posts might only last 3–7 years. chemical in the posts. When large numbers of fence posts need to be installed it is probably most practical to pound them into the ground with a hydraulic post driver, small end first.
While a treated 4x4 may last 10 to 25 years, depending on the wood, the soil, and weather conditions, following the simple steps below could double or triple that number. By comparison, an untreated wood fence post may need replacing in as little as five years.
It must be pressure-treated to stand up to decay and the elements when used for fencing. It resists shrinkage but can still warp, crack, or twist. When properly treated, it can last a lifetime, even if it comes in contact with wet soil.
Insert Aggregate. Once you've dug your hole, place about 6 inches of aggregate in the bottom of the posthole to allow for drainage. This will minimize the amount of water that comes into contact with your cedar fence post. Pro Tip: The bottom of the post should extend a few inches into the aggregate as shown.
Cedar posts that are installed in a dry, well-drained area and are thick enough to resist warping can last for up to 25 years without rotting, while those installed in a damp environment may only last for 5-10 years before showing signs of rot.
Rot is a Real Threat for Any Wood
Pressure-treating can make wood water-resistant, but it's not 100 percent rot-resistant. Any time the wood moves, bends, or cracks, water can enter.
Whether it warps or discolors or both will be revealed in the next 2 or three days. What is going to happen is the wood grain will be "raised". All this means is the fibers that make up that particular section of wood that got wet will swell from re-hydrating.
You can also leave redwood or cedar unfinished and allow it to weather naturally to a soft, silvery gray. If so, apply a clear wood preservative every year to keep the fence from splitting and cracking.
With concrete holding the moisture against the wood, wood has no chance and will eventually lose the battle. Now you don't have to lose all hope because it's for certain that the concrete around the post will crack, therefore making it easy to pull out when it starts to rot. Even worse, the concrete cracks early.
Next, pour an additional three inches of gravel into the hole, tamping down a second time. This simple measure goes a long way toward helping rainwater drain freely into the subsoil. It works so well, in fact, that in mild climates, builders sometimes elect to set fence posts with gravel alone.
Postsaver® is the number one choice for preventing fence post rot because it will literally block rot.
One of the most important reasons your fence posts should be set in concrete is to keep them plumb and level over time. If all supporting the fence post is loose soil or sand, a good storm with heavy rains and strong winds can leave your fence leaning and posts sagging.
If you're using regular wood fence posts or pressure treated lumber, you can add an additional layer of protection between the post and the earth by painting the bottom of each post with asphalt emulsion. Sealing the tips of your posts can extend your fence's lifespan by years.
The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
Over time, unpainted and untreated wood can become damaged by weather, making your fencing weak and likely to rot. By painting the wood with a high quality paint, you can protect your wooden fences for longer.
To keep the wood from rotting, apply a wood preservative to seal it. "It's like wax on a car," Holt says. "It helps protect it from the elements, from water, from sprinklers." Water-repellent preservatives and sealants are sold at home-improvement and hardware stores.
Without proper wooden fence sealing, the lifespan of your fence could be drastically reduced. With proper installation and maintenance, a wooden fence can last 15-20 years. Without sealing and depending on the type of wood, you can expect the lifespan of a wood fence to be less than 10 years.
Wood can Start to Rot in 1-6 months If:
Wood is untreated. The wooded area is sitting in water. Water and/or air space is hot & humid.
Lab experiments have recorded that dry rot spores can germinate approximately seven to ten days after the wood has become damp enough. Older spores can take longer to germinate. As mentioned earlier, though, it can take a long while for signs of dry rot to appear after germination.
Even loose lumber not treated in any way will be fine; provided it has an opportunity to dry out before covering with drywall. To minimize and eliminate any potential damage to the material, it is important to remove any standing water on the sub floor. This will help the water to dissipate quicker.
Made from galvanised steel, DuraPost doesn't rot, split, warp, crack or chip and can even withstand winds of up to 110mph! It's a no brainer if you ask us.
For fence posts, cedar can go several years without rotting; however, they tend to be less durable against soil erosion than pressure treated pine posts.
Redwood is one of the most widely used wood types for wooden fencing. It is expensive, but it more than compensates for its price with durability, quality, and beauty. It is naturally resistant to rot and insects. It is therefore considered the best wood for fencing.