Wooden Sleeper cap?

[Condi]

Can anyone suggest a product to top some wooden sleepers put in a few years ago please? The ones stood on end are starting to rot because the water sits there and penetrates down into the wood. Can someone point me in the direction of a cap or sort of cornice stone you can buy to put on top to divert the water away. The product must exist but I'm not sure what they would be called.

[Murph7355]

I don't see anything put on top working without looking rubbish.

Key to protecting them is when they're put in.

Have you got pictures?

[Sideways Tim]

All the fifty odd year old gate posts that we’ve just bought have lead hats. The ones without are rotten. No idea what the price of lead is these days, but it’s easy to work with and weathers in nicely too.

[Condi]

Sideways Tim said:

All the fifty odd year old gate posts that we ve just bought have lead hats. The ones without are rotten. No idea what the price of lead is these days, but it s easy to work with and weathers in nicely too.

That's a good idea. I've got some roofing lead in the garage, not sure if there is enough but can always get more. Thank you.

Btw, the price, expensive, but considerably cheaper than having to dig out 4ft of bank and replace the sleepers!

[Sideways Tim]

Rubbish photo, but it’s the only one I can find in my phone. Obviously these are ‘farmer spec’ but I’m sure they could be done quite neatly with a bit of effort.

[blueg33]

Sideways Tim said:

All the fifty odd year old gate posts that we ve just bought have lead hats. The ones without are rotten. No idea what the price of lead is these days, but it s easy to work with and weathers in nicely too.

Lead caps was going to be my suggestion.

[hidetheelephants]

Sheet zinc is a lot cheaper and as you can use thinner sheets easier to beat into the shape you want.

[blueg33]

You can buy ready made post caps

[Lotobear]

Lead is a good suggestion but a piece of slate can look good, with a slight overhang.

[this is my username]

I used lead on a gatepost which was rotting badly. I have no idea whether it has stopped the rot, but I can't see it now so it is no longer a problem. .....

[v8notbrave]

I see many posts are cut at an angle, not 45 Deg but enough for water to run off

[JoshSm]

If it already has rot in it don't forget to put some sort of treatment/preservative on it before capping it.

The water based multipurpose rot treatment type, not paint.

[Condi]

Here you can see they're starting to open up, and there are quite a few to cap.

(Excuse the mess, it's wild flowers during the summer but looks like weeds at this time of year!)

[hellorent]

As a starter Id mix some old engine oil and paraffin/diesel and lash it all over the tops this will help stop some of the penetration issue.

[Duckboard]

Would caps on top of them all look a bit rough?

If they are oak posts they have probably got years left in them before they rot!

[hidetheelephants]

It looks like pine of some description, not oak. Fairly large growth rings anyway.

[billbring]

A house I walk past regularly has a wall of vertical sleepers with a lead sheet over the top, overhanging by an inch or two. I always think it looks good.

[wolfracesonic]

If you do them with lead and aren’t very good working lead, I’d suggest it would look st.
An easier option would be to fit some short lengths of treated 6x2 to the tops, with some landscape screws; if you posses an electric planer, twice chamfered on the top to shed water would be a good idea, as would a drip groove on the under side.
Some Ensele end grain sealer on the tops of the posts would be beneficial as well.
The 6x2 won’t be as durable as lead, granted but should deteriorate the same rate as the sleepers.

[Sideways Tim]

wolfracesonic said:

If you do them with lead and aren t very good working lead, I d suggest it would look st.
An easier option would be to fit some short lengths of treated 6x2 to the tops, with some landscape screws; if you posses an electric planer, twice chamfered on the top to shed water would be a good idea, as would a drip groove on the under side.
Some Ensele end grain sealer on the tops of the posts would be beneficial as well.
The 6x2 won t be as durable as lead, granted but should deteriorate the same rate as the sleepers.

Having seen the picture, I concur. A single shingle atop each one would be easier and look nicer. Treat the sleepers well with some preservative and then accept that the shingles will need replacing every now and again.


Although, if your lead work is good…

[hidetheelephants]

Those are proper folded seams by a roofer, no way that's been done by an amateur.