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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Gutters and Wood Post Foundation
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spencerin
Member
# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 18:59
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Would gutters be effective in any way to reduce exposure of a wood post foundation to water? My cabin has a 6" overhang but no gutters, so the water splashes onto the posts when it hits the ground. The only other option, and probably a better one, I can think of is skirting, but I prefer it open-aired underneath if possible. I know wood won't last forever in ground, but the wood'll definitely outlast me, I just want to slow the rotting process down.

adkcamping
Member
# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 19:37
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Try wrapping your post with metal flashing and/or soaking them with a preservative. It’s working for me. But I will say my overhang is 12+”

spencerin
Member
# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 20:36
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Can you post pictures of what your setup looks like?

LittleDummerBoy
Member
# Posted: 23 Aug 2020 21:57
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Put crushed stone along the drip line.

Alaskajohn
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2020 10:27
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Gutters will certainly redirect the water. Simple and inexpensive. I have my gutters feeding into a rainwater collection system as an additional benefit.

jrwasko66
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2020 14:23
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I wonder what type of wood you used for the piers? There are several grades of treatment including exposure to salt water.

I am planning on build a 14x48 in OK in 2021 on piers sever grade. They are near petrified there are so many chemicals pumped in them.

Anyhow...

If you do gutters make the investment work for you by collecting rainwater. I lived 10 years so far on rainwater. No mre drilling and chasing the water teble as all your neighbors draw on it.

spencerin
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2020 16:49
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All good ideas. Thank you.

My builder used the grade rated for ground contact for decks (6" x 6" posts). I now know he should've used the next grade "stronger" (for permanent wood foundations). They were an Amish crew. But, I'm not worried as there's a lot of sunlight and a steady breeze where it's located, vs. being in damp shade.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2020 05:59
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With out knowing the location, roof type and pitch I cant really help much. For instance almost any area that gets snow and has any type of pitch and you will have a very hard time keeping gutters on.

I have found that putting wood chips under the drip line to help. We are in snow country with metal roofs. I'm not sure I would do the flashing wrap around the bottom of the post. You just need to get any kind of water behind that and it may never dry thus rotting the post faster.

Alaskajohn
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2020 10:18 - Edited by: Alaskajohn
Reply 


For winter with heavy snow, simply remove the gutters each winter. A 5 minute task before winter and maybe a 10 minute task to reinstall at spring.

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