Job Site Lumber Storage: Prevent Warping, Moisture Damage, and Deterioration
Key Takeaways:
Storing lumber on-site the right way can prevent a host of issues – from warping and twisting to rot and moisture-related decay. When planning on-site lumber storage, builders must be mindful of:
- Type of lumber
- Possibility of moisture exposure
- Storage and handling sequence
Demarcating appropriate storage zones in advance can prevent common lumber issues and unnecessary material waste.
Material waste is one of the biggest concerns on any project site. Even if builders end up with the right lumber size for their project, they might lose material to improper storage on the jobsite.
The good news is that these issues are entirely avoidable. In today’s blog, Fonthill Lumber Inc., Ontario’s most trusted lumber yard for the last 75 years, will discuss how problems such as lumber warping, staining, and decay can be prevented. Let’s begin!
Why Proper Lumber Storage Matters
Proper storage of construction lumber protects it from environmental exposure, which can adversely impact its strength, shape, and usability. Following good storage practices also prevents material waste and associated project delays during critical stages of construction.
How Moisture Affects Lumber
While moisture content is an essential aspect of lumber performance, excess exposure to external humidity, rain, snow, wet ground, or standing water can spell doom. Wood absorbs moisture quickly, causing it to swell beyond its natural shape, which makes it practically unusable. Especially if repeated moisture exposure leads to surface checking, staining, or mold growth.
Why Poor Storage Can Cause Warping and Damage
As for warping and damage, they can be blamed on uneven stacking of individual lumber boards or inadequate support in storage conditions. Boards may start to bow, twist, or cup due to a lack of proper support. The weight of other boards on top may cause the lower boards to distort – especially during extended periods of storage. Plus, exposure to onsite mud, debris, chemicals, and other jobsite contaminants can make matters much worse.
The Cost of Improper Lumber Handling
Poor handling of lumber has consequences. Materials that have been damaged may need to be sorted, trimmed, replaced, or discarded, leading to wastage. This, in turn, can increase material costs and handling time, leading to delays on time-sensitive projects.
That is why storing lumber properly is critical to project success. It’s not just about neatness or reducing site clutter. It is about preventing a cascading set of issues that could have been avoided if only proper storage strategies were followed.
How Should Lumber Be Stored on a Job Site?
So what is the best way to keep lumber on-site? It starts with formulating a suitable storage arrangement that prevents moisture exposure while allowing adequate airflow around the stack. The goal is to keep the material stable, supported, elevated, and protected.
Choose a Suitable Storage Location
Ideally, one that allows easy material access when needed, but preferably a safe distance away from an active construction zone to prevent damage. The selected area should also be level, well-drained, and not prone to water accumulation. If possible, the chosen site should also offer some protection from direct precipitation. But this is not necessary, and a well-ventilated cover will do.
Keep Lumber Off the Ground
Lumber materials should never come in direct contact with the ground. They should be kept elevated with the help of appropriate supports to keep moisture at bay. This also ensures adequate airflow. In any case, even if the ground is dry, changing site conditions can leave the lower boards exposed to soil, grass, mud, or other wet surfaces, leading to damage.
Provide Adequate Support
As for the kind of support stacked wooden boards need to stay elevated, materials such as concrete blocks, steel racks, pressure-treated sleepers, and scrap wood are all good options. They are strong enough to prevent sagging and are less likely to cause water transfer. Each support should be evenly spaced to reduce stress and distortion.
Cover Lumber Without Trapping Moisture
A cover is necessary to protect stored timber from the effects of rain and snow. However, crews should make sure it is not wrapped too tightly. A very tight wrap traps moisture within the covers, which can hamper board quality. That’s why maintaining airflow is critical. Covers should be carefully positioned so they can shed precipitation but still allow air to move through the stack so it remains dry and ready for use.
How to Protect Lumber From Moisture
Excess moisture is the enemy of lumber and of dimensional lumber of various grades, which makes moisture management non-negotiable on job sites. While isolating timber items from outdoor environments is not necessary, shielding them against prolonged exposure is.
Rain and Snow Exposure
Covering stored lumber is a must for construction projects taking place during monsoon or winter season. Installed covers should be regularly checked for mini water pools, snow accumulation, tears, and displacement caused by strong winds so they can be replaced or repositioned properly.
Ground Moisture and Standing Water
Even if the area is not prone to puddling, keeping stacks elevated above soil is strongly recommended. Maintaining proper drainage around the storage area can come in handy during heavy downpours as it prevents floods from damaging timber.
Air Circulation Around Stored Lumber
Good airflow around and beneath lumber stacks allows the effective dissipation of moisture, minimizing the odds of swelling or decay.
When Temporary Covering Is Necessary
While temporary covers are the first line of defense against rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation, they alone are not alone. Lumber boards must remain elevated and ventilated for them to do their job without creating a sealed environment.
How to Prevent Lumber From Warping and Bending
The expectation is that high-quality lumber will not fall prey to warping or bending. The truth is it might if it does not get the kind of support it needs to stay upright. Poorly supported stacks are likely to deform due to uneven pressure.
Stack Boards on Level Supports
Onsite crews must make sure that the supports used are perfectly level and aligned with the stack of boards and with each other. Tilted or uneven stacks are more likely to crack.
Maintain Consistent Support Spacing
Used supports should be equally distributed along the dimensions of ordered lumber rather than being concentrated only at their ends. Consistent spacing is key to minimal sags and bends, especially if the boards are quite lengthy.
Avoid Uneven or Overloaded Stacks
Overloaded or unstable piles that rest on inadequate supports are a recipe for disaster. The odds of them getting damaged are incredibly high. It is better to organize timber in smaller stacks so there is no additional stress on each board.
Separate Different Lumber Sizes When Necessary
The support requirements of construction-grade wood products change based on their dimensions. Longer boards should be stored separately from shorter stacks. Organizing them by size makes it easier to retrieve differently sized boards as and when they are needed.
Storing Different Types of Lumber
Lumber selection depends entirely on the requirements of a project, which means each project might demand its own type. The way each of them is stored is slightly different, so crews must take necessary precautions to preserve their unique traits and properties.
Dimensional Lumber
Dimensional lumber should be stored well above the ground. Perfectly levelled supports are necessary, and each board should be perfectly aligned to reduce the chances of bowing, twisting, and other forms of distortion.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
While pressure treated lumber is used for outdoor projects that are regularly exposed to moisture, that does not mean it can be stored hastily anywhere on site. They should never be left sitting in water. In fact, they should be stored off the ground in a well-ventilated section of the site.
Framing Lumber
Framing lumber must always be organized neatly with proper supports and protected against precipitation. Storage arrangements that avoid bending or twisting should be strictly followed.
Longer Boards and Large Structural Members
Large structural members and longer boards should have adequate spacing between them when stored so they do not collide with each other during handling or movement. They are also more susceptible to sagging when they do not get proper support, so that is something builders should be mindful of.
Lumber Handling and Storage Mistakes to Avoid
Overlooking basic handling practices can destroy the most effective storage strategies. Handling lumber right after it has been delivered by the lumber yard is critical to preserving its integrity. Avoiding the following common mistakes can prevent moisture- and handling-related damage.
Storing Lumber Directly on the Ground
Direct contact with the ground leaves boards vulnerable. Soil, mud or standing water can contaminate lower boards and lead to decay.
Leaving Stacks Completely Exposed
Uncovered stacks will succumb to the damage rain and snow cause. To avoid deterioration, lumber must remain covered until it needs to be used.
Blocking Airflow With Impermeable Covers
Though covers are important, impermeable covers are a bad choice. They block airflow, trap moisture, and prevent the wood from staying dry.
Moving or Restacking Wet Lumber Incorrectly
Wet timber is heavier than its dry counterpart. Moving it to a dryer site, while necessary, can cause damage if the material is not handled properly. Since wet lumber is slightly brittle, moving it is not recommended until it dries.
Overloading Unsupported Stacks
Placing heavy stacks of lumber on inadequate supports is enough to make them sag or break under pressure. The size of storage supports should always be compatible with the weight and dimensions of the lumber.
Conclusion
Selecting a well-drained, dry location and keeping lumber elevated with the help of appropriate supports are the basics of proper onsite storage. Covers help during the wet season, although they should allow ventilation to be effective. As a general rule of thumb, builders must inspect each lumber board before installation.
Looking for the best construction wood for your project? Fonthill Lumber Inc. provides a wide selection of the choicest framing lumber for Ontario projects. Contact us to explore our large inventory and find materials that match the specifications of your next venture.
FAQs About Lumber Storage
Should lumber be covered when stored outside?
Yes, lumber should be protected from the effects of the weather when stored outside with the help of a breathable cover that allows ample airflow.
Can lumber be stored directly on concrete?
Yes, concrete blocks are frequently used as supports. However, chosen concrete blocks must be plain, evenly sized, perfectly aligned, and capable of holding the weight of lumber boards.
How high should lumber be stored off the ground?
There is no fixed height. It should simply be high enough so that it does not come in direct contact with soil, mud, or standing water.
