Over the last decade the industry has been introduced to faster growing timbers. As a result the growth rings are farther apart and it is suspect that during the ground’s wetting and drying cycles current day posts are now taking in more water. Although there is no testing to prove this, it looks as though the preservatives are being diluted and retention is reduced compared to past decades with older growth timbers and tighter growth rings that retained preservatives. With today’s industry wide combination of fast growth and slow growth timbers being utilized, it also creates a major challenge for treaters to get consistent penetration of treatments throughout a post. The included pictures illustrate lack of preservative throughout the post.
We have builders across the country sharing with us that for the first time they are seeing rot and decay of posts in less than 10 years. Advanced Post Solutions can’t stress enough for today and the years ahead to have protection of in-ground posts that seal and protect the top 8” 'rot and decay zone'. Make sure to use tested, proven and code approved products like the Green PostTM, Postsaver® Sleeve and PolesaverTM Sleeves to insure your posts and poles will last.
Also see post decay explained below.
To gain a better understanding of how the Advanced Post Solutions work, it is important to understand the mechanisms of decay.
Sections of a post decay at differing rates...
First Section - The area 2" above the soil-line to the top of the post is exposed to sunlight and good air circulation. This is a preferred environment for wood posts to last a long time. The above-ground wood in this area is exposed to nature's elements and is certainly subject to the natural weathering processes (simple wood protection methods may be required to maintain desired appearance).
Second Section - The area 2" above the ground to 8" below the soil-line is the most vulnerable area for post decay to occur because high moisture content combined with available oxygen and soil nutrients is most favorable for biological growth. It is at this vulnerable soil-line area that a post deteriorates rapidly. Laboratory tests prove that Green Post™ , Postsaver® and PolesaverTM products eliminate decay because the elements of decay are shielded from the wood.
Third Section - Required levels of oxygen is not present for biological growth in the area greater than 8" below the ground-line to the base of the post. Even though moisture availability is typically high at this depth, there is not enough food and oxygen to support the presence of wood destroying organisms.