If you have seasoned timber that you aren't ready to use yet, you need to store it carefully, and there are special tips you should keep in mind if it is the midst of summer. Want to ensure the heat and the other threats of summer don't destroy your timber? Check out these tips:

1. Keep the timber in a sealed, climate controlled building. 

Ideally, if you want your timber to be as protected from the elements as possible, you should keep it in a sealed, climate-controlled building. This could be a garage, a house, a metal shed or anywhere you can adjust the temperature and humidity levels. If that type of facility is not available, try to keep your timber in a shipping container or a similar type of storage unit.

2. Control humidity levels.

Whether your store your timber in a building or a storage container, you need to monitor the humidity levels. If possible, find out the optimum moisture content levels of the timber you have purchased and try to maintain that level. In lieu of that, keep in mind that most seasoned timber has moisture content levels at or below 15 percent.

Ideally, you want to mirror that moisture level in the air around your timber. Use a humidity gauge to check the levels around your timber, and adjust them as needed. If the humidity is too high, use a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the air, and if it is too low, use a humidifier to boost the moisture levels.

3. Adjust temps to control humidity if storing timber under a tarp.

If you don't have access to a building or storage container for your timber, you may need to store it outside under a tarp. Unfortunately, dehumidifiers and humidifiers don't work to adjust humidity levels in the outside air, but there are still things you can do.

If humidity levels are high, try to make your wood hotter by putting a black tarp on it to attract heat. If humidity levels are low, you typically don't have to worry about the wood getting overly dry and cracking as long as you keep it in a shady area.

4. Pay attention to circulation.

If you are storing your wood under a tarp, however, you need to make sure that air can circulate under the tarp. Without circulation, you risk condensation. When morning dew from the ground under the timber evaporates, it rises, and if it cannot escape, it will rise to the underside of the tarp. When the temperatures increase throughout the day, the vapor on the tarp will form water droplets, which ultimately will rain back onto the timber, causing it to become too wet.

To prevent this effect, the tarp needs to allow air to circulate through it. Make sure that it is loosely attached so air can circulate through the bottom. Also, protect the timber from the ground's moisture by laying a tarp between the ground and the timber.

Finally, whether you are storing your timber outside under a tarp or inside, you should stack it carefully. Ideally, you want the timber arranged in a cross-hatch pattern that allows air to circulate between the pieces of timber.

5. Spray surrounding areas with insecticides.

Heat and humidity aren't the only threats you need to worry about when storing timber during the summer. Also, remember that bugs seem to come out more during the summer. To ensure that they don't cause an infestation to your timber, spray insecticides in the area surrounding your timber.

Want more tips on storing timber in the summer or during any other season? Contact a timber supplies sales company for more information.

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