When it arrives, timber is in perfect condition: straight, dry, graded correctly and specified. But a few days – a week or two – later, the material is ruined. Upon extraction from the stack, it is found to be cupped, twisted or afflicted with mould. One or both faces might be split. It is at this moment that the true cost of poor storage becomes clear. It does not need to happen.
It happens constantly, to every size and timber on every project. And the timber was perfectly good when it left the yard. Herein lies the frustrating truth: most storage damage is completely avoidable. And it is avoided when you see timber as a living material rather than an inert product installed on site. The error of placing timber in contact with the ground or on a concrete slab is a common mistake. Placing timber in contact with the ground is an error because it immediately exposes the timber to enough ground moisture to raise concerns about the various forms of decay. Even if in contact with the ground, damage can be mitigated by ensuring the timber is not left on the ground, as moisture acts quickly. This enables the timber bearers to dry out before being loaded with further timber.
Bearers should be evenly spaced, level and high enough to allow air circulation underneath. Timber should not be in contact with the ground, but elevated an important distance above the floor. Instead of laying the timber on the bare earth or on an uneven floor, it should be laid on a raised, level shelf. For Timber Merchants Southampton, visit https://www.timbco.co.uk
Also, covering it up wrong is almost as bad as not covering it at all. A sheet of polythene draped over a stack of timber merely prolongs the torture. The corners should be left open, and complete covering should be avoided to allow airflow. Leaving timber unsheltered causes condensation – like inside a humid tent. Timber needs to be able to breathe.
It must be protected from the rain by a covering that allows airflow but not moisture. Ends must be left open to the air but protected from rainfall. The spacing of the sheets is important, with sticker spacers used to maintain even spacing between each layer. It is also good practice to cut thin strips of scrap timber and position them perpendicular to the stack. These strips must be inserted between the layers and run the length of the pile to ensure regular airflow between all sides of the pile.