Hollow legs outdoors question...
No, I didn't run the teenager outside. :)
The arbor I built for the kid's wedding and wife's flower bed has legs with 3/4" thick walls lockmitered into 3 & 1/4" diameter uprights. Once placed outside it will sit on concrete elevated a little above the ground for drainage. I've taken great pains to keep water from entering the top any place. But I am struggling with whether to "plug" the bottoms of the legs. *If* water gets in, it needs an escape route. If it doesn't get in, I am allowing it access through the bottoms if I leave them open. It can't go anywhere but it could wet down the insides. I probably won't seal the insides of the legs, though I could slosh some paint around in there I guess if it is needed. Either way, I will soak a little of the ends of the legs with epoxy.
I have a nagging feeling that I should just plug the lower ends of the legs and be done with it. Does anyone have an opinion either way?
David
An Expert Boat Carpenter Told Me
When I was re-constructing an old oyster boat into a pleasure boat, I decided to use beaded tongue and groove vertically for the deck house. Even though it was pressure treated he said don't let the end grain sit on the deck. I laid down a 3/4" x 3/4" piece on the deck well set into caulk. Then I butted the vertical sheathing to that (also with caulk) and it has lasted until now. (14 years) The boat hasn't, but the sheathing has.