Cracking Posts (also known as Checking)
Whilst we use the best sources of timber available to us (within a price) when constructing your garden gym, the posts we use will either have visible checks already or it is inevitable that cracking/checking will occur.. This can be especially prevalent during the hot summer months. Remember – wood is a natural product and will split.
100% Full refund prior to installation
If after reading this article you would like cancel your order prior to installation or delivery of DIY products then you will be entitled to a 100% refund. If you go ahead with the installation and subsequently do not like the appearance then unfortunately there will me nothing we can do.
Cracking timber is a common concern for all!
- We use several companies in the UK to supply timber and we have found that ALL of the timber used regardless of the source is susceptible to ‘checking’ or ‘cracking’.
- This is a problem that ALL timber suppliers face and all suppliers of play equipment and gazebos etc.
The information provided here is to give you an understanding of what to expect after you have our installation team install your gym.
What to expect after your outdoor gym is installed?
The following images show how the wood can crack/split usually during the summer months as the wood dries /adapts naturally to the outside environment.
- In 99% of all cases the cracks, which may appear as defects, will NOT affect the structural integrity of your gym.
- At times, as the weather heats up, the cracks can appear almost overnight and at first can be somewhat alarming. But this is the nature of wood. This is something that will most likely happen but it is not something to be alarmed about.
- Because the cracks often run down the centre of the wood it can look like the bolts that attach the pull up bars to the posts are causing the wood to crack. This is NOT the case.
Further research
We also DON’T want you to just take our word for it. So below are links to other website that discuss in detail ‘Checking’ (cracking) of wooden posts.
https://www.mcilvain.com/how-to-prevent-cracks-in-your-large-timbers/
https://www.tuin.co.uk/blog/cracking-and-splitting-in-timber/
What can you do?
As the structural integrity is NOT affected the short answer is you don’t have to do anything. In fact, during the winter months we often find that the cracks subside as their is more moisture in the air.
However from an aesthetic perspective this an area that we are currently investigating and will be updating this page over the coming weeks.
Taking care of your posts
Whilst the posts are pressure treated for outdoor use, we do as standard recommend applying an oil based stain or weather resistant treatment to the timber posts on an annual basis as part of your general maintenance program (more of which is discussed as part of the installation process). The oil can be easily applied to penetrate into the cracks to help in the overall preservation of the timber.
100% Full refund prior to installation
If after reading this article you would like cancel your order prior to installation or delivery of DIY products then you will be entitled to a 100% refund. If you go ahead with the installation and subsequently do not like the appearance then unfortunately there will me nothing we can do.
Remember, the most important thing is that the bars feel secure and solid.