Has the rot set in?
Australian Standards indicate a life expectancy of up to 40 years above ground and 25 years below ground for hardwood property poles. However, the life expectancy of wood poles can vary significantly depending on their uses, species, climatic conditions and soil conditions.
If your property poles are hardwood, it is recommended that you replace all those which have been in service for more than 25 years. The difficulty in detecting internal deterioration and rotting in hardwood poles makes age-based replacement the only reliable option.
Alternatively, if your poles are softwood, such as treated pine, it is recommended that you seek information from the manufacturer or your supplier (if known) about the life expectancy. You should then replace those property poles that are older than the indicated serviceable life with termite resistant, hardwood poles.
If your property poles are made of sawn timber, you should immediately replace them. Sawn timber is not suitable for power poles as it is more prone to rot and structural deterioration, with a high risk of early failure.
Check your property poles regularly and if in doubt, give us a call for advice on what to do next.
