Home  5  Books  5  GBEzine  5  News  5  HelpDesk  5  Register  5  GreenBuilding.co.uk
Not signed in (Sign In)

Categories



Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.
Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


powered by Surfing Waves




Vanilla 1.0.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to new Forum Visitors
 Join the forum now and benefit from discussions with thousands of other green building fans and discounts on Green Building Press publications: Apply now.

The AECB accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Views given in posts are not necessarily the views of the AECB.



Green Building Bible: diseased or rotten oak in external application

Bottom of Page

1 to 9 of 9

  1.  
  1.  
    Six years ago we installed some oak sleepers in soldier format for a client. We import the oak 400 sleepers at a time and use it for many varied external applications. We concreted the sleepers into the ground and told the client there was no great need for a treatment and that they would weather naturally and last a long time.
    The client decided to treat the sleepers in a black treatment(variety not known at this time), and now is complaining that some have rotted.
    ALL the other applications we used the same sleepers for are absolutely fine.

    Can anyone shed any light on why this rot may have occurred in a relatively short period. Could it be something in the soil which surrounds their feet?
    Could it be moisture that has been trapped in by a non breathable treatment?
    Any suggestions would be welcomed as we have used green oak for years without a problem

    Thanks in advance
    • CommentAuthorwholaa
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2026
     
    not an expert but concreting them in the ground is prob a mistake as the timber cant dry out
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 18th 2026
     
    Eleven years ago I built a raised bed out of untreated oak sleepers. Many of them are now completely rotten. Lesson learned.

    As above, I thought concreting timber into the ground was a no-no?
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeJul 19th 2026
     
    I assume by "sleepers" you mean new timber 200 x 100 or thereabouts.
    I also have never been too fond of using concrete but recently I helped my neighbour postcrete in a row of fence posts but we did wrap them in postwrap first. How long they last I'll have to wait.
    If your client has noticed rotting, I guess it may be at the ground / air junction, which is favourite. IMO concrete only worsens it by allowing water to pool at that junction, and if applied correctly postwrap protects that junction. My guess also is its the sapwood that's rotted.
    I've got a whole row of post and rail to replace, It's simple hammered in 5" x 3" softwood and has been in for 40 years.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 19th 2026 edited
     
    Posted By: owlmanIt's simple hammered in 5" x 3" softwood and has been in for 40 years.
    Treated or not?
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeJul 19th 2026
     
    Yes, treated with the old, but now nasty creosote, just brushed on the bottom half and left to air dry before planting them in the ground on relatively sandy soil.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJul 19th 2026
     
    Yes, treating wood works! :bigsmile: Especially in well-draining soil!
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeJul 21st 2026 edited
     
    Posted By: owlmanwe did wrap them in postwrap first
    You mean www.PostSaver.com? New to me, the 'never failed' BRE-backed guarantee looks convincing. Interesting that they're focused on the 1ft or 2ft ground-to air zone, and importantly don't attempt to enclose the whole post-bottom, so the whole post can and will get wet but can drain out downward.

    Why isn't this standard practice? With that durability, opens up the possibility of timber pile foundations using agricultural gate-post auger/driving techniques.
    • CommentAuthorMike1
    • CommentTimeJul 21st 2026
     
    Posted By: fostertom
    Posted By: owlmanwe did wrap them in postwrap first
    You mean www.PostSaver.com.
    I was convinced by their logic (rotting happens at the post-ground junction) and used them on a new fence several years ago, but it will be several more before I can provide a useful update.

    I can confirm that untreated oak in contact with the ground ground certainly will start to rot within a couple of years. I also know of a fence installed in the 1960s with softwood posts direct into the earth that still has several original posts and panels, though many have been replaced.

1 to 9 of 9

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
   
The Ecobuilding Buzz
Site Map    |   Home    |   View Cart    |   Pressroom   |   Business   |   Links   
Logout    

© Green Building Press