Protect Board Ends to Prevent Rot
To prevent premature rot on pressure-treated lumber, seal every end cut with penetrating epoxy.
The preservative chemicals used on pressured-treated lumber do not always penetrate to the center of the boards. To prevent premature rot, I seal every end cut on exterior boards like deck boards, ledgers, and joists with penetrating epoxy. For maximum penetration, dilute the epoxy with acetone. Very dry board ends will soak up a surprising amount of this mixture.
Be careful not to spill onto finished surfaces that will eventually receive a stain. I try to keep the epoxy 1 ⁄ 8 in. away from the visible top on the ends of deck boards. Diluted epoxies take a few days to cure, so I usually mix about four hours’ worth at once. Epoxy isn’t easily cleaned off of brushes, so don’t use your favorite one. I use 1-in. disposable paintbrushes that cost very little per brush when you buy them by the box.
—Scott Gillespie, Richmond, Calif.
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #315
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View Comments
Great idea, but What epoxy are u using and what is th acetone dilution ratio?