4 ms·
It depends. Fully soaked ground will actually preserve wooden piles (wood decay is aerobic and requires oxygen). This is why Venice and New Orleans are both bui
by leeter 2y ago
It depends. Fully soaked ground will actually preserve wooden piles (wood decay is aerobic and requires oxygen). This is why Venice and New Orleans are both built on them (sinking issues aside because they have other issues). The piles in both cases are quite stable because the ground is completely soaked. Where you run into issues is where water and air meet. I would imagine wooden piles in just water would have issues with shipworm (in appropriate venues). But the ones in fully soaked soil seem to last just fine.
I suspect, but don't have data on, that wooden piles may actually last longer in those exact circumstances due to galvanic issues with concrete and rebar or metal pilings.
- eep_social 2y ago> Venice and New Orleans are both built on them Parts of Amsterdam as well.
- Cthulhu_ 2y agoBut they don't last forever, so a lot of them are being replaced at the moment. Expensive operation as they have to be replaced in-place, but Amsterdam canal front houses are prime real estate.
- throw0101c 2y ago> Fully soaked ground will actually preserve wooden piles (wood decay is aerobic and requires oxygen). When building fences, the ground-air interface is often where rot occurs, and there are products to protect that area: * https://www.postsaver.com/en-gb/products/pro-sleeve-fence-post-protection/ https://www.postsaver.com/en-gb/products/pro-sleeve-fence-po...
- bonestamp2 2y agoAny idea how well those stand up to lawn trimmers?
- gknoy 2y agoIt looks like a layer of plastics, so I would expect not well. Though, the part you'd hit would be above the ground, so it might still protect pretty decently for all the below ground stuff. You might consider putting a small set of stones around it so that the trimmer cord hits those instead of the wrapped wood.
- throw0101c 2y ago> You might consider putting a small set of stones around it so that the trimmer cord hits those instead of the wrapped wood. Stones could help with drainage and drying as well.
- bonestamp2 2y agoShould probably just do a layer of stones under the whole fence... then you'd get that benefit for all of the boards that are close to the ground and not just the posts.
- Arrath 2y agoNot to mention that wooden piles were often treated with an absolutely massive amount of creosote, to the point that a number of timber pile treatment yards are superfund sites.