Coating 6x6 post

[dw1]

I put up a 4 board fence around half of my lot back in the fall, I used treated fence posts and coated the bottom of the posts with asphalt paint (real thick) I was told later that I didnt need to do that?? but was wondering if it is worth while to do the 6x6 posts on my pole barn? or a waste of time and material? as soon as the snow melts, I have a guy coming to do material/estimate. He wants to make sure my gravel pad is level. I hope to get started.

 

[mechanic217]

I built a deck for a friend back in 1982 and coated the lower 3 feet of the posts with asphalt sealer, none have rotted or moved, seems worth it as far as I can see.

 

[crf731]

I can't see it hurting anything.

Coat away if it makes you feel better.

 

[rburke65]

What's it going to hurt? I have done this numerous times on 4x4" fence posts.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Are you concreting theses posts into the ground? If so, make sure you do NOT encapsulate the entire end of the post in concrete. Put a couple inches of gravel under the end of the post and around the first couple inches of the post. Why?

If you encapsulate the end of the post the concrete acts as though you set the post end in a cup of water. It'll rot faster. This isn't as much an issue with pressure treated posts, unless you cut off the end of the post because the chemicals do not go all the way through the wood. It just penetrates the first 1/4" or 1/2"

 

[Angelfire]

Certainly doesn't hurt and will probably help with protection for a while. But wood in contact with earth is going to rot eventually. I don't care if it's treated or not, eventually the bugs get to it. Best option, albeit expensive is to get it above grade and isolated from a concrete footer via a base of some sort. You'll probably get years out of the thing as is so unless you are looking long term, you're probably fine.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Are you setting the posts in dirt, gravel or concrete ?

If you are setting it in concrete, keep the concrete level at least 6" below grade. Angelfire had the best suggestion (above grade), but the next best thing is pour a "cookie" at the bottom of the hole ate least 6" think. Let set for 24 hours. Put the post on top of the cookie and back fill with packed gravel. The gravel will allow water to drain away and the cookie will prevent the post from sinking.

Also check into Perma Columns. Dig hole. insert Perma-Column. Square. Backfill. Done

 

[dw1]

Are you setting the posts in dirt, gravel or concrete ?

If you are setting it in concrete, keep the concrete level at least 6" below grade. Angelfire had the best suggestion (above grade), but the next best thing is pour a "cookie" at the bottom of the hole ate least 6" think. Let set for 24 hours. Put the post on top of the cookie and back fill with packed gravel. The gravel will allow water to drain away and the cookie will prevent the post from sinking.

Also check into Perma Columns. Dig hole. insert Perma-Column. Square. Backfill. Done

I am going to pour the cookie pad and set pole ontop of it and back fill. I went to take out building permit, found out a few other items I must do, I have to drill a 1/2" hole through the 6x6 and have 2-9" pieces of rebar sticking through, opposite each other. I was just going to coat the bottom part of the 6x6 before sticking in the ground! I thought it would help!

 

[classic boost]

my dad coated his 4x4 fence posts 20yrs ago with tar. recently, i pulled them out (no need for the fence anymore) and they look as good as the day he dropped them in. it's certainly worth the minimal time & cost.

 

[dw1]

I did the 54 fence posts, I will go ahead and do the 6x6 for P.B. 30x48x12
For the building permit, they are also requiring a LVL beam/header above my 12' garage door, I will have two O.H doors, 1-10x10 and 1- 12x10. I already have my doors.
I was hoping to get the building permit today! well, maybe this week.