Ensure that the wood gets ventilation from all sides while in storage. This will prevent uneven drying.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow Proper Drying Prevents Wood from Splitting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Drying the wood properly is the most important step in preventing splits from showing up on wood. Here are proven drying methods that prevent wood splits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Air Drying<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Air drying the wood for a few weeks or months before putting the wood to use is one of the most effective ways to ensure your wood won\u2019t split when drying. It ensures that the wood dries evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’ll need a wood moisture meter, a wood sealant, an ample amount of storage space, a cinderblock to place on the wood to prevent shrinkage, and stickers to put between each piece of wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kiln Drying<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Storing wood in a controlled environment is another great way to dry wood. In a kiln, you’ll be able to control the temperature, humidity, and steam levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a kiln, you can get the required moisture content within a specified time without having to wait too long like the air-drying method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, since a kiln can balance the rate at which moisture dries at the outer shell to the rate at which it dries at the inner shell, it means the wood will dry evenly, thus reducing defects like split caused by uneven or rapid drying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Sealer to Prevent Wood from Splitting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After ensuring that the wood is properly dried, sealing the wood can also ensure that split is avoided. Some of the more popular wood sealing methods used to seal the wood and prevent split in wood include.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sealants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
To prevent wood splits, you can apply sealers to the open end of the wood. Doing this will prevent the wood from direct contact with air moisture and, in turn, prevent dryness and shrinking of the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When using a sealant, it is crucial that you cover all open parts of the wood. Additionally, you’ll find that applying these sealants is not limited to using a brush alone. You can also choose to use sprayers with a 0.21\u201d\/0.55 mm tip or larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s not all; alternatively, you can also dip the wood log in sealant after first pouring the sealant into a large tub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paintable Wax<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, you can also choose to use paintable wax to prevent splits from appearing on your wood. Just apply a light coat of wax on the exposed surface of the wood. Also, you can make your DIY wax with wax candles, a paint thinner, a hammer, a canning jar, and a measuring scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start by breaking the candle wax into bits, measure the broken candle wax on a measuring scale and then heat the broken candle wax in a pot or saucepan under heat. Once the candle wax melts, pour the melted wax into a canning jar and apply a paint thinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When applying the thinner, ensure that the thinner is one-fourth of the number of candles. Once the proper thinner measurement is applied to the wax, mix the thinner and wax by shaking the container. You should have your DIY paintable wax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boiled Linseed Oil or Teak Oil<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Finally, you can also choose to bathe the wood in boiled linseed oil or teak oil. Doing this will not only prevent split in greenwood but also keep rots from forming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have the oil, sand the wood first to open up the wood pores; then, if you choose to use boiled linseed oil use, a painter’s brush to apply the oil. For teak oil, dip the wood in the teak oil and allow the wood to dry under non-direct sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
N.B:<\/strong> Teak oil takes longer to dry than boiled linseed oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Prevent Splits in Wood when using screws and Nails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Splits caused by nails and screws are a very common occurrence when working on wood. To prevent this from happening, here are some things to remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blunt the Nail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, blunting the nail before hammering it into the wood is a very good way to prevent it from causing splits in the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To blunt the nail, all you need to do is place the nail’s head on a flat and sturdy surface and hammer on the pointy tip that’s facing upwards. Once you do this, the nail will penetrate the wood in a cutting motion rather than as a wedge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applying Lubricant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another method you can adopt to prevent your nail from causing a split in brittle hardwood like oak and maple is to dip the nail or screw in petroleum jelly or paraffin wax. Doing this will minimize friction created while you hammer on the nail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drilling Pilot Holes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Drilling pilot holes before driving in a screw or nail help prevent splits. This is because these small holes help to guide the bigger screw or nail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below is a chart showing the right size pilot hole to drill when working with different diameters of screws<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drilling Away from the Edge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the methods discussed above, another way to prevent board and wood from splitting caused by nails is to try as much as possible to not nail very close to the edge of the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We advise that you follow the rule of thumb and drill or nail at \u00bd” away from the edge of the wood and nail at a slight angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nailing Outside the Grain Line of an Existing Nail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you need to hammer many nails close to each other, it is important that you do not nail on the same grain line. Instead of nailing them on the same grain line, all you need to do is push the next nail a little further up or down the grainline of an existing nail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 Tips to Help You Fix Split Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here are seven tips you should hold in the palm of your left hand. Do remember them as they will help you in fixing split in wood like a pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #1: Use Floss to Drive Down Glue in Narrow Crevices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, you will be faced with times when you have to push glue down into very tiny splits; using a putty knife to spread the glue might be next to impossible in this scenario. However, with a string of floss, you can get this done easily and quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All you need to do is pour the glue into the split and floss the glue into the crack. Once the glue is everywhere you need it to be, remove the floss and clamp the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #2: Use Paste Wax to prevent Glue from Sticking to the Surface of the Wood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Still on glues, instead of leaving the glue to get stuck to the surface of the wood, you can easily prevent this by applying wax across the surface of the wood. Since the glue wouldn’t stick to the surface because of the wax, cleanup is easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #3: Insert a Padding Between the Wood and the Clamp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After gluing or filling the wood, especially if you are dealing with wood furniture, it is crucial that you insert padding between the clamp and the wood in question. In trying to repair the split in the wood, you do not want to create further damage to the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #4: Allow Wood Glue or Epoxy to Dry Overnight When Uncertain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you get confused about how long you should allow the wood glue or filler to dry, or you’re finding it hard to tell if the glue or filler is dried, we recommend that you allow the glue or filler to sit overnight. After 24hrs the glue or filler should be completely dried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #5: Use Water Proof Glue for Outdoor Furniture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For furniture or wood that might get wet, you need to ensure that the glue you use is water-resistant or waterproof if the wood will be outdoors permanently. Check the glue labels to confirm if the glue is waterproof or water-resistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #6: Always Remember to Clean previously Repaired Splits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When trying to repair a split or crack that has already been repaired, it is important that you remember that you should clean off any wood glue or filler from the crevice before proceeding with the repair process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #7: Apply Masking Tape to the Underneath of a Split<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before gluing a joint, it’s crucial that you tape the other side of the split. This way, the glue that oozes out of the split when clamped will not damage the stick to the surface of the wood. Instead, it will stick to the masking tape, which can be easily removed and disposed of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Repairing split wood doesn’t have to be hard. There are several methods to choose from. All you have to do is choose one that suits the task at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember also to choose the best quality products when trying to carry out any repair work; inferior products will make the task more difficult and time consuming than it should be. Not to mention that they may spell doom for the wood in question.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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