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Is it a good idea to paint the batons on the underside of the floor of a shed with bitumen paint where they contact the concrete slabs in order to make a shed last longer? Shed is currently dismantled and awaiting replacement of one or two of the part rotted batons there. Cheers
Definitely worth doing in my opinion - especially whilst you have the opportunity.
Old fashioned (proper, noxious, carcinogenic stuff) cresote would also do the trick...
It would be easier to use bits of damp prof course cut down so they only stick out 5-10mm each side of the battens (any more is likely to collect water rather than protect the timbers). And then said soak the timbers in the nastiest timber preservative you have access to. Bitumen was used in the way you suggest but if you use too much (extending it up the sides of the timbers) its likely to hold water in the timber and incorage rot. The best strategy is to have as much airflow as you can get around the timbers so they can dry out rather than stay wet
Current plan then is, as I have half a pot of bitumen paint already, paint just the bottom edge of the battons to stop water wicking up but still allow the wood to breath, while also painting the rest of the batons with some creosote.
What Richie said ^
Flashband or bits of DPC better and quicker.
It'll make a difference. I'd go up a little on the sides too. When I moved my little shed "temporarily" for my workshop build I put it onto a few random battens. A few years later when the work was finally done I move the shed back and it turned out the battens were a mix of treated and untreated. The treated ones were like new, the untreated had pretty much disappeared. If you are replacing some it is probably worth going for pressure treated. Its only a few extra quid and they will then outlast the rest of the shed.
I've always thought it would be much better to have shed bearers made out of concrete or high density plastic.
I’ve always thought it would be much better to have shed bearers made out of concrete or high density plastic.I’ve always thought it would be much better to have shed bearers made out of concrete or high density plastic.
The recycled plastic timber substitute used in decking would be ideal. Trouble is a set of runners would probably cost more than a whole shed made from crappy timber