How can I build with pallets without having them break or get ruined?
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My wood plalettes I laid on the ground , are deriorating due to weather, rain . I covered over the wooden pallets with pavers on top. It looked like a high square step with pavers across so potted plants could be placed on top. It was beautiful for a year , but now the weight of the pavers and pots, and weather elements have caused the wood pallets to break, sink in the dirt and not hold the pavers upright. You see all these DIY pallet ideas, what could I have done differently for the wood pallets to stay secure, not move or break? Thank you.
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Likely, your problem is due to the fact that pallet wood is not treated. It will quickly deteriorate in weather, especially if you have a lot of moisture.
I'd recommend sealing your pallets first with a good quality wood sealer. Keep in mind though that putting them right on the ground is going to make it tough to preserve them for a really long time. Is it workable for you to lay down a barrier first - like black plastic? If you can do it in such a way that you can hide the plastic from sight, it will also help preserve the wood longer since it won't be in direct contact with the ground.
Best wishes!
Black plastic will hold water and rot the wood. Landscape fabric allows for drainage and may work. Pallet wood and any wood that is not treat for ground contact will rot over time. Best solution is use thin concrete blocks, bricks, flag stone, and elevate the pallets slightly off the ground.
Your problem after only a short time, is one of the reasons why pallets are not recommended as an approved building material for any outdoor projects.
Yes, it is true that there are many pictures of diy pallet projects.
They rarely however include any realistic information about the mess that can result sooner or later.
perhaps put some patio pavers under the pallet, so it is not sitting directly on the ground.
I'm sorry to say that wood and outdoor elements just is not a good mix. I built my garden out of wood pallets a few years ago and its literally disintegrating. And in my head I'm thinking "Of course it is" lol what was I excepting? I'll be rebuilding my garden next year out of concrete block, which I would urge you to consider replacing your pallets with as well.