Is it normal for cedar posts to split. How to evaluate vertical cracks or spli...

Is it normal for cedar posts to split. How to evaluate vertical cracks or splits in wood posts or logs. Is it possible to reduce the checking--i. The posts were installed about a month ago and today I noticed some really significant cracking the posts. , split. Are you noticing the lumber frame of your deck beginning to split? Find out how serious the cracks in deck posts or beams are and what to do about them. They dropped off the posts this weekend, but they are cracked in a few places. I understand that there is some checking and natural cracking with cedar, but these cracks seem to be reall Dec 1, 2021 · I've never see a cedar post that doesn;t have split like that. Installer was unmoved. This is so common in timbers that there is a term for it called “Checking” which Hi everyone, we are building a new home and opted to us 8x8. I recommended the builder evaluate and repair as necessary. Aug 25, 2017 · I had some fencing put in last year, and a number of the posts have "checked"--i. Checks can be easily described as an opening on the surface of the wood that runs parallel the direction of the grain. This is why we recommend that you re-stain your pergola within the 1st year so that the wood has time to acclimate to the climate and then stain all the cracks. Wet pressure treated lumber is wet and will crack or check as it dries out. Cause and significance of vertical splits or checking in wooden posts. Jun 17, 2025 · Cedar wood is prone to splitting due to various factors, primarily environmental stress, moisture fluctuations, and diseases. My questions is: Why is the wood splitting? When cedar dries, the exterior surface (sapwood) shrinks faster than the inner surface (heartwood). , glue together when the cracks are smaller? Or will future changes of humidity cause the cracks to open again? Jun 6, 2009 · Those timbers are probably heart-center, that is, the bullseye is right in the center of the post. e. Oh no, my post has a crack! What should I do and is this something to worry about? “ Splits ” and “ checks ” as they are commonly called in the industry are a normal and unavoidable part of owning an outdoor product made from pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine. One of the main reasons for splitting in cedar is exposure to prolonged sunlight, causing the wood to dry out and crack. Diagnoseand evaluate the impact of vertical splits or checking found in wooden posts used in homes, barns, post-and-beam buildings, or to support decks or porches. Any thoughts about the structural integrity of the posts? Cedar posts cracked, big deal or nah? Our house will have two sawn cedar posts in front holding up the little front porch covered area. You may be wondering why does cedar wood split? That tension causes the wood to split. Split, Cracked or Checked deck support posts is common, it’s normal and there isn’t a thing which can be done about it, The thicker the post the more it will crack and the lower the density of the wood the deeper the cracks will go. Even if it split in two, it is still supporting. edar posts for our deck. This case is the worst I’ve seen. Get FOHC (free of heart center) next time and you'll have alot less checking and splitting. Dec 4, 2015 · I just went to look at the column today and I noticed all 4 sides of the cedar "base" have a split/crack in the middle (near the middle nails). Actually called wood "checking," the split or crack that you may see is a perfectly natural occurrence and does not weaken or otherwise affect the strength or stability of the post. Sep 20, 2022 · It’s a common problem: you bring home a new cedar board or beam and it starts to split. Happens in like 99% of those posts. This seems to be a common theme with these posts. But I bet even some of those will split, and that wood is like 3-4x the cost of normal decking cedar. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Depending on the weather, the cracks are really big--up to 1/4" wide. Your best bet to avoid that is buy old growth, straight grained wood woth no knots and let it dry very slowly. Question: Is cracking down or splitting up like this normal? I know this might seem extreme to you if you are not familiar with real wood products. The result is the familiar “check” which is technically neither a split nor a crack (below are a few examples of common checking in cedar posts). A “check” is defined as a separation of the wood, normally through the rings of the lumber and is the result of . Red Cedar is the second lightest wood next to balsa so of any wood used cedar is Oct 24, 2016 · Did a New construction final inspection and found some front porch posts ( 8x8 ) Rough Cedar with large checks/ splits. All of our fence posts have You may see what appears to be a vertical split or crack in your new wood fence posts, particularly cedar post & rail or locust split-rail posts. New fence posts splitting - should I be worried? Is this normal or do I need to do some maintenance/reach out to the contractor? Aug 25, 2025 · What is a wood check? Why does wood crack? Do you know how to repair a split wood post? Get the must-know answers to these frequently asked questions and learn more about wood checking and splitting at Pergola Depot, the go-to source for custom wood pergolas. Sealing will slow the movement, but not stop it. Some of them appear to go all the way through. hcm lhe vlh kys wul glx map kbe fxq fqi bkd tti kjm cca sln