Do cut ends of sleeper need to be treated?

[fsj117]

I'm planning to build a retaining wall and will need to cut some sleepers. Do the cut ends of the sleepers need to be treated with wood preservative? If so, which products are recommended? Additionally, do the surfaces of posts buried underground need to be treated?

[JacobZ]

Hi @fsj117,

Thank you for your question.

Sleepers and posts are H4 treated, meaning they can be in direct contact with the ground. The treatment that is used penetrates into the core of the timber to protect against decay, termites, and fungal growth.

While it is not 100% necessary, you can treat the cut ends of the sleepers with TWA Woodcare Ecoseal Tanalised Timber Treatment to help preserve the timber.

Posts are also often coated below the soil line with bitumen membrane to add an additional layer of protection. 

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob