How long will untreated 2x4 last outside?

Untreated redwood, depending on it's age, has a projected life span of 50 years or more when exposed to the elements. Pine varieties have a projected life span of only 5 to 10 years.

hunker.com - How to Use Untreated Lumber Outside | Hunker

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Pressure-treated wood is designed for outdoor applications. It protects wood against wind, sun, debris and moisture. Treated wood lasts a lifetime when properly maintained. But treated wood is also associated with health issues. If you'd rather not deal with it at all, there are options to protect exterior wood.

Keep it Dry

Decay and rot are directly related to fungus, and these microorganisms require moisture to survive. Deprive fungus of the moisture it needs to survive, and it helps to prevent decay.

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Keep it Shaded

Sunlight can rob wood of natural oils, and cause bleaching and degradation. Natural chemicals, such as lignin, become depleted in wood. Take precautions to keep wood out of direct sunlight whenever possible.

Controlled Temperature

Fungus needs a reliable source of oxygen, moisture and temperatures between 32 and 90 degrees to multiply and thrive. When these conditions are met, fungus turns on the wood as food source, causing rot and decay. Control the temperature to control decay.

Seasonal Furniture

It's difficult to keep exterior wood dry, out of the sun, and for the most part, impossible to control the temperature, but you can bring wooden furniture inside when it's not in use. Wet springtime or fall weather does the most damage to wood.

Choosing Species

The durability of untreated lumber is directly related to species. Even the best sealants won't protect certain woods as well as others. Of the commonly used woods, teak, cedar, redwood, cypress, white oak and fir are some of the toughest, most weather-resistant species to look for. Alder, pine, hemlock and poplar are among the weakest and least weather-resistant. Untreated redwood, depending on it's age, has a projected life span of 50 years or more when exposed to the elements. Pine varieties have a projected life span of only 5 to 10 years. Cedar has a life-span of between 15 and 20 years, and is priced mid-range, making it a good alternative to pine or fir, with better weathering qualities, at a fraction the cost of redwood.

Chemical Protections

Even though natural weather-resistant wood is the best choice for outdoor exposure, at some point it becomes vulnerable to decay. The only way to properly use untreated wood of any type outside is with the addition of water-repellent preservatives, sealer or paint that contain UV protection. Over-the-counter wood preservatives are available in clear versions, or with stain containing pigment or dye to color the wood.

The Borate Option

If you're dead-set against pressure-treated wood because it possibly contains arsenic, there is another option. Borate-pressure-treated wood can even be used for interior applications. Borates are naturally occurring minerals in rocks, water and living organisms. Wood treated with borate is considered one of the safest alternatives to standard pressure treatments.

Borate Application

You can apply borate to wood yourself. It's a thick liquid, that when mixed with hot water, can be sprayed through an ordinary hand/tank sprayer.

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Can PVC conduit be buried?

At 18 inches, you can use THWN-2 conductors inside a continuous length of PVC conduit, which protects the wire all the way through the trench to the house. At 24 inches you can bury underground feeder cable, using PVC conduit to 18 inches below ground only where the wire comes up.

familyhandyman.com - How to Bury Underground Cable (DIY) | Family Handyman

Running electric power to a garage or garden pond? Learn about code requirements, trench depth options, conduit material and types of electrical wire.

Yes, You Can Run Electrical Service Out Into Your Yard

Electrifying a detached garage, tool shed or garden pond is a DIY project that homeowners can absolutely tackle themselves. You just need the right information and guidance. The National Electrical Code contains basic provisions for allowable wiring methods and materials, the required burial depth of the wiring and other safety considerations to ensure the underground wiring provides safe and reliable service for many years. There are four common options for running underground electrical wiring through your yard. Your choice primarily depends on the type of soil you have. If it’s granular and easy to dig, you can save money on electrical materials by digging deep; you may not need to install metal or plastic conduit to protect the buried wiring from physical damage. On the other hand, if the soil is rocky or heavy clay, or you encounter lots of tree roots, you can keep your digging to a minimum and protect the buried wiring in metal or plastic conduit. Better yet, walk-behind trenching machines that dig down to 24 inches are readily available for rent at many hardware stores, home centers and equipment rental outlets. You can rent a trencher for half a day for less than $100, and about $150 for a full day. Renting a walk-behind cable plow machine is another option.

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