Subject: Deck problem
Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999

I have a deck with ten 6" posts. The builder put them in cement, but then piled up about 10" of soil around them when landscaping. The posts have rot about 1" in all around. Would it be advisable to follow your restoration procedure or just cut them off? Following your procedure, could I then pour concrete around the treated areas to bring the concrete up to ground level?

Rick P.

Rick,

One inch of rot is not so deep that CPES applied to the outside surface (assuming that the wood is reasonably dry) can't penetrate it entirely. I would think that the CPES alone would accomplish what you want to do: Consolidate the wood and make it highly resistant to further rot or bacterial degradation. You could then pour concrete, but the CPES alone should be sufficient.

By the way, concrete itself is not a great deterrent to wood rot. Crushed limestone is much better, because it allows the area to drain.

Come back if you have additional questions.

Doc