Congratulations on the next step in your project! Now that you have selected your materials and they have arrived at your job site, the very first step is to inspect everything to be sure you have received the correct products and they are free from any defects or damage. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
If you will not be installing your building material products right away, it is imperative that they are stored properly, otherwise they can be damaged quite quickly by moisture, humidity, temperature, sunlight, and job site dirt. Any materials that are intended to be installed indoors, need to get out of elements as quickly as possible. Building materials that will be installed outdoors, can remain outside for a short time as long as they are stored properly out of direct sunlight.
Starting from the bottom, your stack of lumber or other building materials should never be stored directly on the ground for any length of time, so be sure to elevate them by placing pieces of scrap lumber or pallets underneath. Should you be storing your lumber over damp ground or freshly poured concrete, you must also put a moisture barrier down. Cedar siding or other “dry” building materials should be kept between 4 to 6” above the ground. Be sure that your pile is laying completely flat.
If large pieces of lumber are strapped together and you will be using them with in a short time period, go ahead and keep them banded together for stability. This is especially helpful when storing pressure treated lumber, as it has a tendency to twist and warp quite quickly when stored outdoors. Items like cedar siding and trim, should be separated and stacked on vertically aligned stickers to allow for airflow and to acclimate before installation.
Next, cover your building materials with a waterproof tarp or plastic, but not too tightly. You do want to allow some airflow. To help prevent cupping and to hold down your tarp, you may want to put weights on your lumber pile. Having a peak or covering your pile with a tent in case of rain is also a good idea. Should any of your building materials become wet on the job site, they should be separated and allowed to dry thoroughly before installation.
Following these tips for short-term storage of your Western Red Cedar and other building materials will help your job go a lot smoother, as well as save you time and money!
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