Question about reusing deck wood

[vinny11950]

I tore down the old deck next to the house. It has to be at least 25 years old.

I am pretty sure the wood is treated, and it is painted red. It smells like pine.

Anyway, I have a lot of boards that I can use for other projects around the garden.

Mainly I would like to make a couple of compost bins, the product of which would only be used on flower plants and shrubs. Maybe a few flower beds.

Can I do this, or is the risk of leaching too great?

 

[Smoke Stack]

Put the painted side out and you'll be fine. If the wood is PT and that old I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[woodgeek]

Old PT may be Arsenide.....I wouldn't. Find some other wood and sleep well at night. Who knows if the next owner of your house plants veggies there?

Or you could have it tested??

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Yep if it's that old & PT you have the nasty stuff. Plenty of nasty chemicals & heavy metals in the old stuff if it's PT wood. Depends on the local formula oc but this is the stuff that was removed when it was found to be readily absorbed through the bottoms of toddlers feet while they played on the deck. A not so proud period in the building supply industry. Locally chromium copper arsenate was popular back then, no longer with good reason.

 

[vinny11950]

thank you for the responses, guys. i will not use them for the compost bins or flower beds.

i do want to make an outdoor table for gardening purposes and maybe a cheap tool shed.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

i do want to make an outdoor table for gardening purposes and maybe a cheap tool shed.

Excellent plan.