Every day you wake up in the Pacific Northwest, it is raining, and that constant wet climate can really take a toll on your yard year after year. Moisture from constant rain gets right into the center of the natural grain, and once water gets trapped inside, rot runs unchecked and turns your yard border into a perfect home for decay. But when you work with a passionate Cedar fence contractor in Bothell, WA like Premium Wood Build, you stay much more shielded from heavy rain. Having a properly set-up system saves you time and a ton of money in the long run.

How to Choose Your Western Red Cedar Materials

While some woods aren't waterproof, western red cedar is, in addition to being insect-resistant. However, without proper climate/moisture control in a wood processing facility, and if the wood is left exposed, even the greatest woods will absorb water and rot rapidly, creating a fungi-fest from your fresh new house boundary. Clear, tight knot cedar panels are an optimal product for your house surround, so the best timber for your fence is always pre-screened, pre-conditioned and inspected before post-installation. 

Good Ground Clearance and Circulation Techniques

The easiest method to rot your timber fast is locating it directly on waterlogged ground. Soil moisture finds its way up into the wood like a sponge and climbs to ruin the bottom of your posts. When you hire a skilled Cedar fence contractor in Bothell, WA like Premium Wood Build, they ensure proper setup from day one. A good rule of thumb is raising your bottom board a minimum of a few inches to prevent rapid rotting. On top of that, excellent parallel board spacing permits natural airflow, which dries the whole area out right after heavy showers pass through.

Concrete Post Setups and Water Drainage Techniques

As with any solid fencing, the weakest point will always be the lowest part touching the soil. Pouring posts into pits filled with raw earth means water will always pond directly alongside your fencing, rain or shine. Pouring them into holes filled with rubble topped off with high-quality concrete, however, means water is pushed completely away from the timber. Giving the cement a gentle outward slope protects roots beneath the ground from underground decay.

Protection Stains And Annual Service Cycles

Cedar remains pretty great, but simply hiring a reliable Cedar fence contractor in Bothell, WA like Premium Wood Build to apply a good barrier sealer on the surface to prevent deep water intrusion is still affordable and will add years of service to the project. Oil-based penetrating stain penetrates deep into the wood's grain, not just sits on top like cheap paint. 2-year sealing coats help maintain the timber's good looks, good feel, and help seal the surface cracks, resulting in "fixing" your minor surface moisture issues before they become major interior damage issues.

Professional Hardware Selection and Corrosion Resistance

Building a cedar outdoor boundary is much more complex than simply picking some nice grade wood panels. Every single other piece is vital to holding this structure up against fierce wind and heavy seasonal rain. When anything outdoor gets exposed to water around the clock, it is bound to rust away, and that is what causes the whole panel to wobble, sag, or even fall away entirely from the support posts.

Preventing Rust and Structural Damage with Quality Hardware 

Using cheaper nails and brackets to help hold these panels together is a sneaky way to speed up this process, since cheap metal rusts much faster than solid, durable stainless steel or aluminum, and that means it will stain your existing timber and start loosening up the connections between posts and panels in no time in the rain. That's where a professional Cedar fence contractor in Bothell, WA can help talk to the experts at Premium Wood Build.

FAQs

How Long Does Cedar Barrier Last In The Rain?

A cedar project should be able to last easily for 15 – 25 years in most rainy environments if designed correctly and maintained. Constructing a robust cedar design using top-quality timber, gravel post footings and then oil-based sealing is a great way to enjoy your investment for years to come.

What Causes The Bottom Of My Wooden Building To Rot?

Because groundwater is pushed firmly against the wood for extended periods of time, rotting occurs at or just below the ground. If either no ground clearance or gravel drain exists to carry away water from under the footing, the post starts to rot from bottom to top.

What Is The Ideal Time To Seal Cedar?

The best time to seal your timber is during late spring or early summer. Your timber needs several consecutive days of hot and dry weather before it can actually dry out and receive a new coating of stain or oil.