Wood is still getting rained/snowed on...help!

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emt1581

Minister of Fire
Jul 6, 2010
523
PA
I got my stove a few years ago and each season is a learning experience. Sometimes a VERY dangerous one and sometimes its something silly and/or little. It's been frustrating to say the least but wood is our only economical option.

However, one issue I continually have year after year is nice well-seasoned wood getting saturated thanks to the snow burying it or the snow, warm enough to melt temps, and then the snow melting all over the wood.

This year I went all out. Instead of leaving it in a dumped pile I made 6 stacks that are 4'-5' high, 1 foot apart, AND were alternated row by row to allow for maximum air passage/drying. And on top of that, I covered just the top with a weighted down tarp!

Just went out to find that not only did the tarp rip thanks to the weight of the snow, but the melting snow had saturated a decent portion of the first row, but now about half of my wood is just stacked and exposed (no tarp protection).

Seriously, is there nothing that will work to keep this wood dry short of building a permanent roof over this wood??

Any suggestions to get us through this winter until said roof is able to be built would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

-Emt1581
 
Head for HD and get some contractor sheet plastic to put under the tarps. The stuff is better and cheaper than tarps in the first place. Cut it in strips to cover the top of the stacks.

But rubber roofing is the answer if you aren't gonna get a shed done. Roofers throw the stuff in the dump when they replace rubber roofing.
 
I agree with BB, the plastic at home depot is better than a tarp if you get the thicker stuff, peruse craigslist for rubber room remnants. Hard to tell without seeing your stacks why your having a problem but my tarps stay on, I either tie them down or tie something weighted to a rope to the holes in the tarps in the corners.
 
Ok heavier tarp...already have some. The rubber I haven't heard of or seen.

Funny a shed was mentioned....the shed is next to the wood and about 2 months old. But it has my bike, mower, and other outdoor items in it.

I've seen a few people that build roofs over their piles with a pitch to them to prevent rain/snow from having direct access. At this point that's going to be my plan for next year.

As for this year's wood, is bringing it under the covered patio a week prior to burning good enough to dry the bark or is there a better method? I try to knock off the bark whenever possible.

Thanks

-Emt1581
 
emt1581 said:
Ok heavier tarp...already have some. The rubber I haven't heard of or seen.

Funny a shed was mentioned....the shed is next to the wood and about 2 months old. But it has my bike, mower, and other outdoor items in it.

I've seen a few people that build roofs over their piles with a pitch to them to prevent rain/snow from having direct access. At this point that's going to be my plan for next year.

As for this year's wood, is bringing it under the covered patio a week prior to burning good enough to dry the bark or is there a better method? I try to knock off the bark whenever possible.

Thanks

-Emt1581
Click to expand...

Maybe a shed roof attached to the above shed? This way you can get more mice with your equipment.
 
gzecc said:
Maybe a shed roof attached to the above shed? This way you can get more mice with your equipment.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea and definitely what I'm going to do!! Unfortunately I won't get a chance until spring when all the rain/snow/wind/etc. stops. But I've got a couple packs of shingles left over from the shed. If I get two sheets of pressure treated plywood, paper, and shingle them and then bracket those to the shed wall, and then use two support posts on the other side I'll have an 8 x 8 area to stack wood under. With a drip edge and a minimal pitch it'll keep pretty much everything dry and free from everything but temperature (which doesn't matter anyway).

Thanks for the idea!!

-Emt1581
 
Old truck caps can make fine woods sheds. Mine is up on 4 landscaping timbers. Packed right to the top. Also have some of that previously installed rubber from rubber roofs, lots of uses for that stuff including temporary wood pile covers. Just set a few stones or blocks on top.
 
emt1581 said:
That's a great idea and definitely what I'm going to do!! Unfortunately I won't get a chance until spring when all the rain/snow/wind/etc. stops. But I've got a couple packs of shingles left over from the shed. If I get two sheets of pressure treated plywood, paper, and shingle them and then bracket those to the shed wall, and then use two support posts on the other side I'll have an 8 x 8 area to stack wood under. With a drip edge and a minimal pitch it'll keep pretty much everything dry and free from everything but temperature (which doesn't matter anyway).

Thanks for the idea!!

-Emt1581
Click to expand...

Just use 5/8 plywood with tar paper then shingles. No need for PT. Use pressure treated post about 3' deep into the ground with crushed stone around it.. Use ground contact PT. Lowes sells it.
 
gzecc said:
Just use 5/8 plywood with tar paper then shingles. No need for PT. Use pressure treated post about 3' deep into the ground with crushed stone around it.. Use ground contact PT. Lowes sells it.
Click to expand...

Good point. Hell, with two sheets of OSB for $8 a piece I can swing this for somewhere in the area of $20.

This will make for a nice small spring project.

Thanks

-Emt1581
 
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I'm going to do something like this as well, probably 4x4's with osb and corrugated steel roofing. I'd like it to hold about 7-8 cords. Right now I cut it, split it and stack it on pallets. Then about October we move the wood to an existing wood shed built by the previous owner, who obviously got his builders license from the Homer Simpson school of carpentry. If it lasts this winter I'll be lucky. I'm also going to put down a coarse stone base and stack directly on the stone. This way there is no double moving, just cut, split, stack, burn.
 
image.jpg image.jpg Tarps work if you do it right, I was in your situation last year, this year I said the wind and snow are not going to beat me.....I say double tarp it with brand new tarps ......
 
I dont understand your post VERY dangerous?...if burning a woodstove scares you then dont do it...the new epa stoves are very controlable..by now you SHOULD know how your stove burns..these forums are full of information on how, when and why...if yur worried about it keep the snow off it...
 
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