Shrinking wood on playset

Jul 16, 2004 3 Replies
E

I recently built an outdoor play set for my kids using ACQ-treated pine. The wood was a bit damp when I built the play set, and I expected a bit of shrinkage. I've been checking the tightness of the carriage bolts about every other week.



I've found on 3 occasions, the bolts felt surprisingly loose, and required one or more turns of the nuts to tighten.



I'm surprised how much the wood is shrinking. How long can I expect this to go on? Will the wood eventually reach a stable point? Or will this be a constant battle?



Thanks, Eric


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J

Are you sure it's shrinkage and not the nuts working loose from movement during play?

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N

It will eventually stop shrinking. A general rule for drying lumber is one year for every inch of thickness. The shrinkage will initially be rapid and will slow as the wood becomes drier.

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

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