termites?

[picklemonkey]

stupid question. do termites dig deep in the earth, or only into wood? example, if I lay a post in the ground 4 foot deep and surround it with concrete, will termites get to the exposed bottom of the post 4 feet below and burrow up?

[DIDI]

Re: termites?

stupid question. do termites dig deep in the earth, or only into wood? example, if I lay a post in the ground 4 foot deep and surround it with concrete, will termites get to the exposed bottom of the post 4 feet below and burrow up?

It might be a good idea If you put a footing of concrete under the post . I dug up stumps in my house that were effected by termites at the bottom. They didn't have any concrete around them at all though.

[picklemonkey]

Re: termites?

i've been contemplating pouring sonotubes but I'm cheap. just trying to find a cheaper way to do it

[Hg_addict]

Re: termites?

Pickle

I always thought termites could eat through concrete but thats a myth.

These might help you.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG064

http://www.utoronto.ca/forest/termite/tips8.htm

[DIDI]

Re: termites?

^^^ Good link!!

What are sonotubes??

[Yao]

Re: termites?

tubes that costantly emit trancemusic soundwaves through the earth, mostly Tiesticle/Oakenstroke. Termites are known to hate that stuff with a vengeance.

[KinKyJ]

Re: termites?

^^^ they do love Breezer though...

[jarble187]

Re: termites?

I wouldnt recommend pouring any concrete around wood. The wood will still wick water into itself and rot from the inside out, then you are truely fucked, as you have to dig all the concrete out to replace the post. I would recommend using a post base ontop of a sonotube to get the base of the post off of the concrete, which allows the base of the post to breath.




If you need help picking one out, I have all the spec data here in the office for both USP and Simpson connectors.

[picklemonkey]

Re: termites?

thanks. there goes my being cheap idea

[jarble187]

Re: termites?

Here is one of our standard office details-




Dont mean to blow the budget, but you would be best suited taking this approach. For the extra 4 feet you would pay for the post, you can buy the post base. Should be a close swap and well worth the extra effort as you wouldnt have to worry about the rot issue down the road. I dont thing termites are so much of a concern either.

[picklemonkey]

Re: termites?

good point I guess...

I have 3 6x6 posts. using the sonotube will save me 45 bucks off of lumber, but then I'll end up spending an extra 30 bucks for another 10 80lb bags of concrete. Then I need to buy the sonotubes... which I'm finding on the webbernet would probably cost me ~$150? that sucks. I'm a cheap sonbitch. where can I buy sonotubes, anyways? seems I need to have them special ordered from Home Depot/etc. are there cheaper alternatives? Do I really need to even buy a sonotube? Can I just fill the hole without it? Maybe can I just buy 3 1-ft sections, fill the hole with concrete, then use them to stick up the 4 inches that I need it to come up?

[jarble187]

Re: termites?

^^^I think Lowes or the Depot would have everything you need. For example-

Concrete- 94 lbs- $11.43

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=10352-286-317&lpage=none

Quick-Tube- 8" x 48"- $5.97

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=10149-289-14483&lpage=none

Shop it out man. Between the one bag of concrete and three tubes, youve spent only $30. Seems cheap to me. The post bases should be between $5-10 each.

You can purchase online and pick up at your local store if it is not in stock.

[picklemonkey]

Re: termites?

i was searching sonotube, not quik-tube

[Dhar_2]

Re: termites?

at least it wasnt quik lube!!!