Pressure-treated wood is a big no-no for fire pits. When used in the construction of a home or building, lumber is often treated with harsh chemicals like arsenic and chromate, making it resistant to pests and fungi.

Painted or Treated Wood Because burning painted and treated wood can release dangerous, toxic chemicals into your home, keep them out of your fireplace. Not only can these chemicals irritate lungs, eyes and skin, but they can damage the inside of your fireplace.

Pressure treated lumber is considered hazardous waste by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Burning this wood releases the chemical bond that holds the arsenic in the wood and just one tablespoon of ash from the burnt wood contains a lethal dose of this poison.

The disposal of treated lumber by burning has serious health and environmental risks. In fact, it’s illegal to burn in all 50 states. Treated wood is also called CCA lumber. CCA is an abbreviation of Copper, Chromium and Arsenic.

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What’s bad about pressure-treated wood? Because of the vacuum, the chemicals are carried deep into the wood. Chromium is a bactericide, copper a fungicide, and arsenic an insecticide, and all arrest decay of some kind. All three are toxic, but chromium and copper don’t raise many concerns.

Treated wood of all types can be most responsibly disposed of as follows: Homeowners engaged in small projects should take treated wood to their local landfill or transfer station and place it in the designated location (i.e., the non-clean wood pile).

Homeowners should never burn any type of pressure- treated wood or preservative-treated wood under any circumstances. The chemicals that are in the most common pressure-treated wood are heavy metals: chromium, copper, and arsenic. Those 3 chemicals may become airborne.

How Long Does Pressure-Treated Wood Last? It depends on the climate, the type of wood, its uses, and how well it’s maintained. While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.

For mild stains and dirt use a mild dish detergent diluted in a bucket of water. Mop a small area of the deck surface with the detergent and then use a stiff bristle brush to work the dirt free from the surface. Rinse the solution with a garden hose and re-clean areas as needed.

PRESSURE-TREATED WOOD MAINTENANCE STEPS

1. Start by cleaning your wood with a cleaner/brightener that contains a mildewcide.
2. Next, apply a water-repellent for surface protection.
3. For your pressure-treated lumber to remain in tip-top shape, we suggest maintenance every 12 months.

1. SCRAPE OFF LOOSE FINISH. Remove loose paint or opaque deck stain with a paint scraper.
2. SCRUB THE SURFACE. Use a stiff bristle brush to remove flaking stain or dirt.
3. APPLY CLEANER. Apply a deck brightener/refinisher product to wood surfaces.
4. POWER WASH DECK.
5. APPLY FINISH.
6. USE A BRUSH.

Interlocking deck tiles are a low-cost way to transform your deck into a safer, more attractive space while helping to protect the actual deck from wear and tear. Installing outdoor tile over a wood deck can help to protect you from splinters, while offering the deck protection from sun and wear and tear.

The Best Furniture Polishes to Make Every Surface Shine

• Best Oil: Pledge Restore & Shine. Pledge.
• Best Aerosol: Guardsman Anytime Clean & Polish.
• Best Wax: Howard Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish.
• Best Wipe: Weiman Furniture Wipes.
• Best Duster: Twinkle Dust and Shine Cloth.
• Best Scratch Solution: Weiman Repair Kit.