How do you stop your deck planters from rotting?
Question:My grandmother had planters made for on top of her deck and over the years the bottoms have started to rot out. She is planning to replace them with new planters. What can she do so that the wood doesn't rot and there is still drainage? When she had them made they put plastic on the inside and put holes in the bottom where the drainage holes were in the wood. I thought there should be some kind of membrane to put inside and maybe tubing in the holes? Any help would be appreciated.
Answers:
I'm sorry, but you will have to build new planters. Use treated lumber and drill plenty of drain holes in the bottom. Line it with the black nylon window screen fabric before filling with soil and plants. If you intend to paint them, the treated lumber needs to dry out (it is wet) for a couple of months. Use a good primer coat (Kilz) and then add your finish coat.
I hope this helps!
Whatever measures you take, if they are made of wood, eventually you will have to replace the wood. If you keep all the water out (which you can't) the bugs will eat the wood. Just buy new wood, paint it up nice with latex paint and put your drainage holes in. Just know, that 10 or so years down the road you will have to do it again. not a bad investment for years of enjoyment.
Give your grandma a hug.
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