We get a lot of action in our YouTube comments from pros and DIYers who are genuinely curious about our tips and techniques (and we also get some hilariously insulting comments, too). One frequently occurring comments is: The water that gets into our Post-Protector wood deck footings will demolish the wood. First off, the Post-Protectors drain, by the way. But I get it. It makes sense on the surface that water rots wood, but it doesn’t. Let’s talk about what causes wood deck posts to rot. (And we’ll share the Post-Protector cap that helps keep water out.)
What causes wood deck posts to rot?
What actually “rots” wood is decay fungi in the ground, AKA at “grade.” Well, it also can be airborne, but let’s keep this contained. It’s basically the same formula anyway.
The first layer of protection for wood in exterior applications is preservative “treatment.” Treatment really means we render the lumber poisonous to this decay fungi that have been eating fallen Sequoias and the wood chips from a wood chipper for eons. They exist to turn wood back into earth.
The treatment, however, doesn’t last forever, so the Code has come up with an elegant solution: Isolate the wood–food source–from the decay fungi. Most people interpret this as expensive, labor-intensive concrete piers and brackets.
I interpret it as a barrier between the earth and the post, which Post-Protector is. The astounding amount of time and shovel work this saves me on my deck building projects is awesome.
So what actually causes wood deck posts to rot?
It’s kind of a 3-legged stool. The decay fungi are a given, but they need three other things to do their business:
- A food source (wood)
- An acceptable temperature
- AND moisture
Take one of the legs of the stool away–Post-Protector does it by isolating the food source from everything else–and the problem disappears. Mold works the same way, by the way.
But contractors and others insist water is the enemy of wood. OK.
Belt-and-suspenders Post-Protector Cap
Post-Protector now makes a Post-Protector cap that’ll keep water out of the system. It’s a 2-piece system. Piece_1 is a gutter. Gob that up with Lexel or similar. Piece_2 is a decorative cap. Slide it over Piece_1 and seal that if you want.
Belt and suspenders.
Thing is, wherever you land on this spectrum, the Post-Protector cap looks kinda cool, too. What’s not to love?
Here’s Mark reading some of YouTube’s hilarious insults
