Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
(OP)
For a project at home I'm considering trimming down some PT 2x4's to be 1.5 square. My concern surrounds potential reduction in protection of the wood.
Does pressure treating go through the full depth?
My application is sinking some boards through a french drain to be embedded in concrete underneath the drain. My intention is to wrap the wood in plastic as a vapor barrier and then extend the concrete up above the level of the drain so that the wood should never "see" actual earth or prolong water contact.
I'm investing a bunch of labor into this and don't want to be digging these boards up again in 5 years due to rot.
Does pressure treating go through the full depth?
My application is sinking some boards through a french drain to be embedded in concrete underneath the drain. My intention is to wrap the wood in plastic as a vapor barrier and then extend the concrete up above the level of the drain so that the wood should never "see" actual earth or prolong water contact.
I'm investing a bunch of labor into this and don't want to be digging these boards up again in 5 years due to rot.





RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
I don't understand what you plan on doing, but it sound a little strange to me.
Why not buy PT 2x2 ballusters instead of ripping 2x4's to 1.5 square?
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
I'm not familiar with the term balluster. I take it that's something that I'd be likely to find in the 2x2 config?
I'll call around and ask.
Thanks.
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
I would caution ripping PT. The penetration depends on species and treatment used. See:
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/FPLGTR/fplgtr113/Ch14.pdf
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
You still haven't answered CSEllc's statement implying that we don't know WHY you are doing this - not exactly sure what you are trying to do.
There are now also plastic decking materials that are available which are basically a mix of polypropylene and wood fiber. Seems this stuff has the potential (in a non-weight bearing situation) to last longer than PT, and can probably be worked with typical woodworking machinery.
Mousetrap
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
Unless you specifiy a suitable level of treatment i.e. special order, the PT lumber you buy at our big friendly box stores is not typically intended for continous exposuse to earth or water. Even with your vapor barrier, I would expect water to be trapped against the wood once the wood is cast and buried. Additionally, this may not meet code in your area.
Check into Mousetrap's suggestion on wood alternatives.
Good luck,
Daniel
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
RE: Trimming down pressure treated 2x4's
A few species such as Southern Pine readily absorb the treating chemical and may achieve full penetration. However the presence of heart wood and other factors can inhibit full penetration.
Also one of the most important thing is that the wood you are using contains a tag or stamp indicating that it was treated to the proper standard for your application. I have seen some treated wood with no stamps which appear to have been treated to the dip standard, dip it in treating solution and call it good.