How long will metal pipe last in earth and concrete
I'm building a fort for my kids out of wood, 8 foot by 8 foot and trying to work out how to make it last. I can't get treated wood, and apparently untreated wood rots within a year of ground contact even if painted.
Can I make a base out of 3 inch pipe, with 2 foot legs concreted into the ground and then build my fort on it? Perhaps have the base raised a couple of inches off ground? How long could I expect it to last. I don't want to (can't afford to) build a proper foundation, just concrete in the legs so it's solid.
We get a LOT of rain here, like a monsoon season and cyclone prone, so I need it solid as it will be 15 foot tall on an 8 foot square base. Although in the event of a cyclone I'd probably unbolt it from the base and lay it down.
pipe steel
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
add a comment |
I'm building a fort for my kids out of wood, 8 foot by 8 foot and trying to work out how to make it last. I can't get treated wood, and apparently untreated wood rots within a year of ground contact even if painted.
Can I make a base out of 3 inch pipe, with 2 foot legs concreted into the ground and then build my fort on it? Perhaps have the base raised a couple of inches off ground? How long could I expect it to last. I don't want to (can't afford to) build a proper foundation, just concrete in the legs so it's solid.
We get a LOT of rain here, like a monsoon season and cyclone prone, so I need it solid as it will be 15 foot tall on an 8 foot square base. Although in the event of a cyclone I'd probably unbolt it from the base and lay it down.
pipe steel
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
If you can't get treated wood, consider hardwoods - many of them will last about as long as treated softwoods. It does vary, though, so you'll need to look up the species available in your region.
– Bob
34 mins ago
add a comment |
I'm building a fort for my kids out of wood, 8 foot by 8 foot and trying to work out how to make it last. I can't get treated wood, and apparently untreated wood rots within a year of ground contact even if painted.
Can I make a base out of 3 inch pipe, with 2 foot legs concreted into the ground and then build my fort on it? Perhaps have the base raised a couple of inches off ground? How long could I expect it to last. I don't want to (can't afford to) build a proper foundation, just concrete in the legs so it's solid.
We get a LOT of rain here, like a monsoon season and cyclone prone, so I need it solid as it will be 15 foot tall on an 8 foot square base. Although in the event of a cyclone I'd probably unbolt it from the base and lay it down.
pipe steel
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
I'm building a fort for my kids out of wood, 8 foot by 8 foot and trying to work out how to make it last. I can't get treated wood, and apparently untreated wood rots within a year of ground contact even if painted.
Can I make a base out of 3 inch pipe, with 2 foot legs concreted into the ground and then build my fort on it? Perhaps have the base raised a couple of inches off ground? How long could I expect it to last. I don't want to (can't afford to) build a proper foundation, just concrete in the legs so it's solid.
We get a LOT of rain here, like a monsoon season and cyclone prone, so I need it solid as it will be 15 foot tall on an 8 foot square base. Although in the event of a cyclone I'd probably unbolt it from the base and lay it down.
pipe steel
pipe steel
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
asked 4 hours ago
Kilisi
1134
1134
If you can't get treated wood, consider hardwoods - many of them will last about as long as treated softwoods. It does vary, though, so you'll need to look up the species available in your region.
– Bob
34 mins ago
add a comment |
If you can't get treated wood, consider hardwoods - many of them will last about as long as treated softwoods. It does vary, though, so you'll need to look up the species available in your region.
– Bob
34 mins ago
If you can't get treated wood, consider hardwoods - many of them will last about as long as treated softwoods. It does vary, though, so you'll need to look up the species available in your region.
– Bob
34 mins ago
If you can't get treated wood, consider hardwoods - many of them will last about as long as treated softwoods. It does vary, though, so you'll need to look up the species available in your region.
– Bob
34 mins ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
You could build big concrete posts, maybe 12" in diameter, up about 12" above ground level, and use metal post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Be sure to treat the end grain and base of the post with the best preservative you have available, and it ought to hold up pretty well.
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
add a comment |
The 3" pipe in concrete will last for generations in contact with the ground or in poured concrete. Remember this, your kids will tire of the fort in a couple years so I would not make it too permanent. We all want to build something for our kids to have fun with, but as they grow up their likes and abilities change. (think computers and the opposite sex). Both my son and I have been where you are at. my 2 cents.
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
1
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
add a comment |
I heard of a guy "frying" wood in wax, and I plan to try it someday. Paraffin wax is cheap, too. I plan to sand the posts smooth, treat with preservative as suggested, and then hoist the post over a pot of hot wax. The water should leave the wood when hotter than 212 F/100 C, and then the wax should soak in as it cools.
It sounds like a lot of work to me, but I like that sort of thing, and it really ought to last longer than I'd ever need.
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
You could build big concrete posts, maybe 12" in diameter, up about 12" above ground level, and use metal post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Be sure to treat the end grain and base of the post with the best preservative you have available, and it ought to hold up pretty well.
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You could build big concrete posts, maybe 12" in diameter, up about 12" above ground level, and use metal post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Be sure to treat the end grain and base of the post with the best preservative you have available, and it ought to hold up pretty well.
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You could build big concrete posts, maybe 12" in diameter, up about 12" above ground level, and use metal post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Be sure to treat the end grain and base of the post with the best preservative you have available, and it ought to hold up pretty well.
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
You could build big concrete posts, maybe 12" in diameter, up about 12" above ground level, and use metal post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Be sure to treat the end grain and base of the post with the best preservative you have available, and it ought to hold up pretty well.
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
answered 4 hours ago
batsplatsterson
9,50111229
9,50111229
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
Good idea, I'll look around see if these base plates are available, save building a whole frame out of pipe.
– Kilisi
3 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
I've been trying to find out about these, and they seem great for holding weight, any experience with sideways force on them. The Fort will hold up one end of a big 10 foot swing.
– Kilisi
2 hours ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
@Kilisi - the one in the picture is from Simpson, there are other similar brands. They should have all the engineering data on the company web site. Some are made of heavier gauge metal than the one pictured and may tolerate bigger shear forces. The orientation of the bracket may also make a difference - you might want the flanges in the direction of the force the swing would generate.
– batsplatsterson
1 hour ago
add a comment |
The 3" pipe in concrete will last for generations in contact with the ground or in poured concrete. Remember this, your kids will tire of the fort in a couple years so I would not make it too permanent. We all want to build something for our kids to have fun with, but as they grow up their likes and abilities change. (think computers and the opposite sex). Both my son and I have been where you are at. my 2 cents.
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
1
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
add a comment |
The 3" pipe in concrete will last for generations in contact with the ground or in poured concrete. Remember this, your kids will tire of the fort in a couple years so I would not make it too permanent. We all want to build something for our kids to have fun with, but as they grow up their likes and abilities change. (think computers and the opposite sex). Both my son and I have been where you are at. my 2 cents.
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
1
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
add a comment |
The 3" pipe in concrete will last for generations in contact with the ground or in poured concrete. Remember this, your kids will tire of the fort in a couple years so I would not make it too permanent. We all want to build something for our kids to have fun with, but as they grow up their likes and abilities change. (think computers and the opposite sex). Both my son and I have been where you are at. my 2 cents.
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
The 3" pipe in concrete will last for generations in contact with the ground or in poured concrete. Remember this, your kids will tire of the fort in a couple years so I would not make it too permanent. We all want to build something for our kids to have fun with, but as they grow up their likes and abilities change. (think computers and the opposite sex). Both my son and I have been where you are at. my 2 cents.
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
answered 4 hours ago
d.george
5,0262613
5,0262613
1
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
1
1
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
Good answer, I got 4 kids already and one due any time now, and not finished yet, so I expect many many years of usage.
– Kilisi
4 hours ago
add a comment |
I heard of a guy "frying" wood in wax, and I plan to try it someday. Paraffin wax is cheap, too. I plan to sand the posts smooth, treat with preservative as suggested, and then hoist the post over a pot of hot wax. The water should leave the wood when hotter than 212 F/100 C, and then the wax should soak in as it cools.
It sounds like a lot of work to me, but I like that sort of thing, and it really ought to last longer than I'd ever need.
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
add a comment |
I heard of a guy "frying" wood in wax, and I plan to try it someday. Paraffin wax is cheap, too. I plan to sand the posts smooth, treat with preservative as suggested, and then hoist the post over a pot of hot wax. The water should leave the wood when hotter than 212 F/100 C, and then the wax should soak in as it cools.
It sounds like a lot of work to me, but I like that sort of thing, and it really ought to last longer than I'd ever need.
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
add a comment |
I heard of a guy "frying" wood in wax, and I plan to try it someday. Paraffin wax is cheap, too. I plan to sand the posts smooth, treat with preservative as suggested, and then hoist the post over a pot of hot wax. The water should leave the wood when hotter than 212 F/100 C, and then the wax should soak in as it cools.
It sounds like a lot of work to me, but I like that sort of thing, and it really ought to last longer than I'd ever need.
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
I heard of a guy "frying" wood in wax, and I plan to try it someday. Paraffin wax is cheap, too. I plan to sand the posts smooth, treat with preservative as suggested, and then hoist the post over a pot of hot wax. The water should leave the wood when hotter than 212 F/100 C, and then the wax should soak in as it cools.
It sounds like a lot of work to me, but I like that sort of thing, and it really ought to last longer than I'd ever need.
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
answered 1 hour ago
donjuedo
23027
23027
add a comment |
add a comment |
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If you can't get treated wood, consider hardwoods - many of them will last about as long as treated softwoods. It does vary, though, so you'll need to look up the species available in your region.
– Bob
34 mins ago