6x6

[premierjax]

Hey guys, I have a 2 month old pole barn, I just noticed that all the 6x6 post are splitting!!
There is about 1/16" - 1/8" cracks up all side of the posts. The ones in direct sunlight are the worst. Is there anything that can be done about this, or is something I shouldnt worry about? Thanks for any replies

 

[Stuart in MN]

The question is whether they are major splits that are a structural concern, or just the natural small cracks that develop over time as the wood dries. If you can post a picture or two that would help.

 

[cj7jeep81]

It's just the wood drying out, as it's very wet/green when you first get it (unless you pay extra to get it dryed). I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Riverside]

unless you pay extra to get it dryed

Presumably, laminated posts (like Morton uses) would also be less likely to split.

 

[kbs2244]

How can the poles be in direct sunlight?

 

[1SlowFormula]

How can the poles be in direct sunlight?

Not everyone has walls on their pole buildings...

 

[premierjax]

Not everyone has walls on their pole buildings...

Yes for now its just a pole barn, until I save the funds to enclose it. So the front of the barn being south facing gets all the sun during the day. I dont think they are a structural problem yet but I was wondering if anyone puts a sealer or something like that to keep them from shrinking

 

[brassmoney]

had 4x4's on my fence splitting within months of installation. Every year I would have one snap on me and now all but one have been replaced...just waiting for the last one to brake like the others have.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are concerned, get an extra long 1/4" drill bit and drill through above and below each crack. Use 1/4" hot dipped galvanized carriage bolts with washer under the nut. Do not over tighten.

I had to do this on my 4x6 gate posts.

 

[premierjax]

had 4x4's on my fence splitting within months of installation. Every year I would have one snap on me and now all but one have been replaced...just waiting for the last one to brake like the others have.

Thats reassuring

Wizzard as far as drilling the post it seams like the crack goes pretty much from top to bottom 14', I wish I knew how to post some pics, it sure would make life easier!! Ill try posting some pics on Friday, thanks for the replies

 

[k1rodeoboater]

to post pics click on the reply button to bring up the editor. Scroll down till you see the additional options bar. 2nd box in there says attach files, click it. This brings up a pop up window. The first box is "upload files from your computer", click choose file. This opens up another popup that should look familiar. Go to where your store your picture on yoru computer, click on it, and click OK. This will upload the file. Once completed your file name will be under the "current attachments tab. Close the window. Post your message and the pic will be included.

Pretty simple. If you are using a digital camera (not camera phone) you may have to scale down the size of the file to post it this way. If that occurs just post a message and someone can tell you how to resize it. Short answer, use MS paint and resize to no larger than 620x480 pixels or 146.5KB for a JPEG image.

 

[djjsr]

Assuming the posts are pressure treated wood, you will probably see new cracks appearing for a couple of years as the wood dries.

 

[cj7jeep81]

For re-assurance, my dad's pole barn is twenty some years old. Pretty sure every post has cracks similar to what you're saying (and some a good bit bigger), and not a single problem with it in all that time.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Vertical cracks are totally normal. Very few people caulk them or use sealant, unless they are planning on staining or painting the posts.

If no defective posts were planted, you have NO chance of pole failure in the foreseeable future.

 

[rieferman]

Vertical cracks are totally normal. Very few people caulk them or use sealant, unless they are planning on staining or painting the posts.

If no defective posts were planted, you have NO chance of pole failure in the foreseeable future.

Agreed, no worries in my opinion (previously worked in post-frame industry).

 

[pstnbly]

Pressure treated lumber is shipped at up to 40% moisture content, air dried lumber will achieve 8-12% on it's own, a lot of drying to do.

What you are seeing are not cracks, it's called checking, it's normal and does not affect structural integrity except in extreme circumstances.

 

[rburke65]

Normal, especially on the exposed South side of the barn. As said, they are just drying.

 

[premierjax]

thanks for the direction rodeoboater, Ill try on Friday to posts some. Yes they are PT I picked them up from a local saw mill. They did have alot of moisture to them, and I figured they would dry, but didnt know they would crack from top to bottom on all 4 sides. Thanks for all the replies guys

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wizzard as far as drilling the post it seams like the crack goes pretty much from top to bottom 14',

Starting at the top, drill through going North-South and install a carriage bolt. Drop down about 2' and drill through going East-West. Continue alternating.

These should prevent the cracks from growing. If they do, replace the 1/4" carriage bolts with 3/8" galvanized carriage bolts and 1-2" wide 6" strips of 1/4" thick galvanized steel on both sides.

 

[Riverside]

Wood continually shrinks and expands as it dries, then reabsorbs moisture from the air. As long as the cracks are running parallel with the edges, it probably won't make much difference structurally. The cracks will follow the grain of the wood. Adding bolts will change the way the force is exerted, but the wood will still shrink and expand. (I wouldn't bother.) If you see any cracks running diagonally off the edges, THEN you may have a structural concern.

 

[djjsr]

I really don't think carriage bolts will help much. My deck frame is bolted through the posts and I still got cracks. After a few years it seemed to stop, so I filled all of the cracks and painted the posts and frame.

Just a note, If you through-bolt anything to the posts, you will have to tighten the nuts occasionally as the wood dries and shrinks.

 

[rieferman]

Wood continually shrinks and expands as it dries, then reabsorbs moisture from the air. As long as the cracks are running parallel with the edges, it probably won't make much difference structurally. The cracks will follow the grain of the wood. Adding bolts will change the way the force is exerted, but the wood will still shrink and expand. (I wouldn't bother.) If you see any cracks running diagonally off the edges, THEN you may have a structural concern.

Good post, agree

 

[SteveCh]

Normal with 4 x 4 and larger posts. I am finding, over the past ten years more so than before, that posts sold are wetter than ever. I had some 4 x 4 posts I set for a back porch, then got hung up in some other project for a month. When I got back to the porch, two of my four posts had warped and twisted. They were as straight as a post can be when I bought them and set them.

 

[geologist]

The wood will shrink as it dries out unless its been kiln dried and stabilized. Its really nothing to worry about in your case. The wood fibers will harden as it dries, compensating for the cracking. If it bothers you, I suppose you could brush the inside of the cracks with wood glue or gorilla glue.