Course: SLF 155 Small Farm Maintenance and Operations

Reading & Audio Visual

Building Preventative Maintenance, Wooden Buildings
Building Preventative Maintenance, Wooden Buildings
Wooden Buildings

Wooden pole barns are easy to construct and very cost effective when compared to steel span barns. Yet wooden barns are more susceptible to fire, insect damage, rot and weather damage than their metal and steel counterparts. it is important to periodically check over the entire structure for insect damage, fungus and mold growth, soundness, decay, stress and separation of the wood. However, if wood buildings are maintained they will last quite a long time.

Cleaning: Use a borate based solution to treat for insect pests such as beetles, ants and termites and preserve wood. It is also important to clean away dirt, manure and debris build up from walls and floors.

Roof Repair: For wooden buildings with shingle roofs replace shingles and re-paint and treat wood as necessary. You can also replace shingled wooden structures with metal roofs to add longer life to the structure.