I drive almost 4 hours to a quality hardwood store to buy my hardwood. I’ve always wondered about how to protect the wood during the drive, specifically from rain. Does anyone believe several hours of rain wetting kiln dried hardwood (mostly cherry) causes any lasting damage to the wood, assuming the lumber is promptly placed in a dry environment?
Thanks-
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Probably no lasting damage. But it won't help, and it could take forever to dry again. Well, not forever. Might be a year though.
I just simply won't plan on buying lumber on a rainy day. I have about a 2 hour drive home, and won't do it if there is even a chance of rain that day.
I did the tarp & duct tape thing once, essentially sealing it up before strapping it to the car; but only because I was 3 days away from a 6hr drive home and stumbled across a sawyer on a vacation trip. Normal for me is shopping in dry weather.
To answer your question, rain won't hurt it, but I would be more concerned about sunlight warping or cupping the top layer of lumber on a hot sunnry day while you are eating lunch at somewhere.
DAMHIKT.
If you bring it in a dry covered environment, it will be back to working condition within a few days assuming there is no trapped water.
Depends on what species as well...
When I lived back east and did a lot fo remodeling, I hated picking up any kind of wood in the rain... But it rained so often! I would always try to wrap it in plastic the best that I could. But, of course, the big box stores don't pay attention and they store their hacks of construction lumber outside all the time... Completely undoing the kiln drying.
If I was buying expensive hardwoods? I did everything I could to only go on a dry day. If not, I wrapped it all as close to hermetically sealed as was possible in a parking lot! LOL. I always had inexpensive plastic drop clothes and pallet/stretch wrap in the truck... Always.
Here in SoCal, I'm loving life when it comes to picking up hardwood, concerning moisture. But, I have had many pieces get sun burnt in the 40 minute drive home from the hardwood supplier I go to now. Gonna have to start carrying opaque drop cloths...
The rain on the surface won't penetrate very far into the wood and it should dry out quickly. If the ends are exposed and get direct rain, it can wick into the wood pretty easily.
Your lumber yard probably paints the ends of boards after kiln drying if you're buying rough lumber. If they do, then you should be fine. If not, you can bring a rattle can of spray lacquer and paint the end grain before loading.
It's not preferable, but a little rain isn't the end of the world. Ambient humidity is probably worse.
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