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I am in the process of designing a woodworking shop, 24×36 based on “pole barn” type construction. For some reason, the thought of putting wood into the ground makes me nervous, my concern is rot somewhere down the road. Should I be concerned about this? Obviously I will be using pressure treated wood with .60 retention.
How long can I expect the posts to last? What is your experience with older pole barns? How long do they normally last?
What kind of things can I do to improve my chances of long life for the building? My local building department says to go 48″ deep and put a 12″ dia by 6″ deep footing, then the pole (or 4×6 in this case) goes on top of the concrete with dirt packed around it.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and help.
Phil Riley
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Don't pack dirt around it. Use inch minus gravel. Dirt will hold water which encourages rot and when it freezes to the sides of the pole, it can do the uplift thingy as it expands.
With 60 PT, you'll be six feet under before you need to worry about the rot. Don't place the cut end in the ground. Place factory end in and cut tops to level later.
*piffin nailed my thoughts exactly
*Don't concrete around them either.
*that's what my shop/3-car garage is...pole-barn with 4x6 .60 poles..when you pour your footings ...screed and tamp the tops level and flat so you can dance the poles aoround to bring them in line...... poles will be there a long time.. and whats the downside ? if a pole goes bad .. cut it off and scab a new one in...we use pole building for a lot of additions..