In taking apart my old post, I noticed that the column and posts all
had a sheet of copper nailed to the bottom side.
Was this used to prevent rot with the idea being that the natural
corrosion of the copper would cause copper ions to leach into the wood
thereby protecting it with the natural microbacidal effect of copper?
Just curious to understand how they did it in the old days...
Also, since these old column are still in excellent shape, would it
make sense to replace the now corroded sheet with a new one to give it
future protection?
Thanks...
I've never heard of this particular usage, but they used to put copper
sheeting on the hulls of wooden ships to eliminate (or vastly reduce) the
growth of marine organisms (bottom fouling). Actually, I think they still
use copper-containing paint on ships hulls to this day (or at least until
recently, perhaps....environmental issues??).
BruceT
"blueman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In taking apart my old post, I noticed that the column and posts all
> had a sheet of copper nailed to the bottom side.
>
> Was this used to prevent rot with the idea being that the natural
> corrosion of the copper would cause copper ions to leach into the wood
> thereby protecting it with the natural microbacidal effect of copper?
>
> Just curious to understand how they did it in the old days...
>
> Also, since these old column are still in excellent shape, would it
> make sense to replace the now corroded sheet with a new one to give it
> future protection?
>
> Thanks...
>
On 11 Jan, 16:53, blueman <[email protected]> wrote:
> In taking apart my old post, I noticed that the column and posts all
> had a sheet of copper nailed to the bottom side.
Yes, still done today too. Copper is affordable and very long lasting.
Unlike lead, it doesn't corrode preferentially through pinholes.
Best to fold it over and nail through the sides though. You don't want
to penetrate it.
It probably helped both with the copper ions, as well as protecting the end
grain from being in contact with the wet floor be it wood or concrete,
reducing the tendency to wick water up into the post hastening
deterioration. I would go with what has worked in the past and replace the
copper sheet with new copper.
"blueman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In taking apart my old post, I noticed that the column and posts all
> had a sheet of copper nailed to the bottom side.
>
> Was this used to prevent rot with the idea being that the natural
> corrosion of the copper would cause copper ions to leach into the wood
> thereby protecting it with the natural microbacidal effect of copper?
>
> Just curious to understand how they did it in the old days...
>
> Also, since these old column are still in excellent shape, would it
> make sense to replace the now corroded sheet with a new one to give it
> future protection?
>
> Thanks...
>
On Jan 11, 4:53 pm, blueman <[email protected]> wrote:
> In taking apart my old post, I noticed that the column and posts all
> had a sheet of copper nailed to the bottom side.
Copper flashing is less toxic and stronger than lead flashing,
longer lasting than galvanized steel or aluminum and a century
ago was much cheaper than aluminum.
The original dome of the Yerkes Observatory was covered
with copper and it lasted about a hundred years.
It probably was there to prevent water from wicking up into
the posts and columns. It also could have been there for
termite and carpenter ant protection.
>
> Also, since these old column are still in excellent shape, would it
> make sense to replace the now corroded sheet with a new one to give it
> future protection?
>
Hell yes! It worked fine all these years, right?
--
FF
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> Somebody wrote:
>
> > Yes, still done today too. Copper is affordable and very long lasting.
> > Unlike lead, it doesn't corrode preferentially through pinholes.
>
> Have you checked the price of copper lately?
>
> Around here, utilities install coppper wire during the day. thieves steal it
> that night.
For longevity measured in centuries in this application, copper is
still the metal of choice.
They make galvanized post bases as well (check your lumber store, they
come prefabricated for 4x4's etc.), but these are usually gone in a
decade or so. A much thinner sheet of copper can last for a hundred
years.
Good economics doesn't look at just the price per pound, but also at
how many pounds you need and how long it'll last....
Several years ago, when copper wasn't nearly so expensive, the
Baltimore subway system had a substantial amount of copper third-rail-
electfication-cable, big honking cables to carry thousands of amps at
800V, stolen from an operating line!!!!!! Everyone is astounded at the
audacity even today!
Tim.
Andy Dingley wrote:
> On 11 Jan, 16:53, blueman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>In taking apart my old post, I noticed that the column and posts all
>>had a sheet of copper nailed to the bottom side.
>
>
> Yes, still done today too. Copper is affordable and very long lasting.
> Unlike lead, it doesn't corrode preferentially through pinholes.
>
> Best to fold it over and nail through the sides though. You don't want
> to penetrate it.
Cut the corners away so it doesn't trap water or stick it on with
Sikaflex. If I was going to caulk ROUND but not right under the post,
I'd drill a 1/4" drain hole through the deck under it for good measure.
--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
[at]=@, [dash]=- & [dot]=. *Warning* HTML & >32K emails --> NUL:
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Early 60's, Uffa Fox designed,
All varnished hot moulded wooden racing dinghy.
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Ian Malcolm" wrote:
>
>
>>'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Early 60's, Uffa Fox designed,
>>All varnished hot moulded wooden racing dinghy.
>
>
> Nice boat.
>
> Lew
>
>
Thanks, I used to have a link to a photo in my sig, but that took the
sig over 5 lines.
[quick google]
Yes its still up on Lee Yeaton's bayguide site:
<http://thebayguide.com/rec.boats/ian_malcolm.html>
:-)
--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
[at]=@, [dash]=- & [dot]=. *Warning* HTML & >32K emails --> NUL:
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Early 60's, Uffa Fox designed,
All varnished hot moulded wooden racing dinghy.