hey, thanks so much. i should have said that it is pressure treated. and that i think it is prone to splintering. so i will seal it. also, some of the pieces seem to be wearing in a concave way, so that they actually hold more water. the green you guys noticed may be because i haven't been able to get algae off the wood yet. it seems better if i go through the cleaning routine at least twice. the Defy web site has sealer that it claims lasts longer-- w/ epoxy. maybe i will try that. https://millerbrospaint.com/waterproofing/defyepoxy/index.asp they say to use a sprayer. do you have to? could i use brushes?
Pressure-treated has a natural (or unnatural) green tinge to it, so it could just be that.
Indeed, if this wood has been there for a long time, the green is likely due to the arsenic compound once used in the treating process. A related compound (or maybe even the same one) was once used as a paint pigment, yielding the famous "Arsenic Green" you would see a lot in the old Polish neighborhoods.
I am just catching up on LJ reading, and can lend some insight into this discussion. Most pressure treated lumber used for decking, etc. is Southern Yellow Pine. That is what your photos look like. Until 2 years ago, the chemicals used to make it rot-resistant were arsenic and copper compounds. The copper gave it the greenish color. New pressure treated lumber no longer contains the arsenic for environmental reasons.
Pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine tends to splinter and warp as it ages. A sealer will help prolong the life of the wood. I think you can get good protection by brushing instead of spraying the sealer, but read the manufacturer's recommendations. If you spray, wear a good respirator, and protect nearby plants with tarps. Don't let the dogs breathe the spray.
The sealer will trap the preservative chemicals inside the wood, so dogs and kids will be exposed to them less. The sealer should also help prevent splinters from getting in little feet or paws.
Not that you would be likely to, but never put food in direct contact with pressure treated wood.
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they say to use a sprayer. do you have to? could i use brushes?
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Indeed, if this wood has been there for a long time, the green is likely due to the arsenic compound once used in the treating process. A related compound (or maybe even the same one) was once used as a paint pigment, yielding the famous "Arsenic Green" you would see a lot in the old Polish neighborhoods.
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Most pressure treated lumber used for decking, etc. is Southern Yellow Pine. That is what your photos look like. Until 2 years ago, the chemicals used to make it rot-resistant were arsenic and copper compounds. The copper gave it the greenish color. New pressure treated lumber no longer contains the arsenic for environmental reasons.
Pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine tends to splinter and warp as it ages. A sealer will help prolong the life of the wood. I think you can get good protection by brushing instead of spraying the sealer, but read the manufacturer's recommendations. If you spray, wear a good respirator, and protect nearby plants with tarps. Don't let the dogs breathe the spray.
Good Luck!
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Not that you would be likely to, but never put food in direct contact with pressure treated wood.
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