Cypress Pine Help

[bassic]

Howdy All ..... First Post Here
I am about to start my decking project, have all the materials, extra help, and a fridge full of beers .......
Deck size is 4.5m x 6.8m

I am using 100 x 100 Cypress Pine posts.
The problem I have is, should the posts be protected before they are concreted in the ground. The experts ?? are saying both yes and no, so who is correct ???

If they do need protection what should I use ???

Many Thanks

Rob

[moose]

hi rob
the answer is it does need to be treated.most 100 by 100 is treated already.first be sure that your timber isnt treated before u wast ur time.most treated pine looks green in colour

[bassic]

Thanks for the reply moose.

The timber I'm using is Cypress Pine, not treated pine.
Cypress Pine is already termite resistant and is purchased without any treatment.

[E. maculata]

Cypress' durability rating was lowered a few years ago, as it was discovered the in ground serviceability was not great, so the answer is " as much yes protection as possible.

For me when the "Experts" (hope to hades your not talking timber yard sales blokes )disagree go with the safer conservative options.


(BTW without being too much of an anorak, "cypress" isn't a pine, just resembles one)

[Studley 2436]

His nibs the overated member (god knows how that happened as Jesus is usually asking E.Mac timber advice ) is likely right

Cypress is pretty good timber. I have a bit lying around and well dunno but if you are putting timber in the ground chances are a bit of some tar type cover on the bit in the ground is a good idea.

See if you can wind up the underated one and if you stir him enough stuff will fall off of the top of his head, various kilo Newtons of stress torque abilities of over a hundred different evil beasties oops Termites to get through it, flexibility hardness toughness durability how to calculate the variation in each property due to knots tight or loose grain lines and how well it will get your barby going when you set the offcuts on fire.

He just does all that in his head. Cray are trying to make a supercomputer that can come close but are yet to get there.

So yep give the old E.Mac a bit of an arm twist you don't know what will come out. Just don't mention Corymbia Maculata he has a thing about educated types mucking things up and the chainsaw he carries ( as everyone does up there) goes to an instant attack setting.

Studley

[bassic]

Thanks for the reply guys ......

OK I'll take the advice and paint the posts / stumps.
What would you suggest using, good old tar paint or something better ??

I hope to have all the sub floor done this weekend, I'll keep you updated on how things go.

For our tech guru, E.Mac, what we call Cypress is not actually a Cypress, it is part of the Callitris species, we only natively call it Cypress Pine or White Cypress ....... god I love google

Robert

[SilentButDeadly]

Can't help with a preservative product.....I'd probably use plain old creosote or even some used engine oil that I have kicking about.

My primary comment is that I wouldn't be using concrete around the cypress. You'd be far better off simply using compacted earth around the post. Concrete tends to attract and hold water and salt from the surrounding soil which is bad for the post plus as the post very slowly shrinks & decays it'll loosen in its concrete case. Whereas you just pack more dirt around it with compacted earth. If you go this way just make sure you place some sort of solid foot in the bottom of your hole - a paver or a 150mm square piece of timber is fine