3 Hacks To Protect Wooden Pallets From Rotting

By Author: Olivia Jackson
Total Articles: 2
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Pallets have a number of uses, from stacking heavy, bulky loads for ease of storage in a warehouse or distribution unit, to delivering those items across the country or overseas. Once heat treated pallets in London and elsewhere are no longer required for their original purpose, they can be disassembled and upcycled. One of the reasons pallet wood is popular for upcycling is that it tends to be treated against mould and insects.

Why Treat Pallets?

Pallets have to support heavy loads over long periods and if they were to be attacked by insects or softened due to water ingress, they would be unable to perform this basic function. Therefore, wooden pallets are often treated to protect them. Heat treatment is a requirement for overseas transport to guard against unintentionally exporting pests to other countries.

There are several methods for treating pallets and the most popular is heat treating. In this process, the pallet wood is heated to 140 degrees celsius for at least 30 minutes, killing off all insects and larvae that are present in the wood and any existing mould spores. Heat treatment allows the pallets ...
... to be certified as ISPM 15 compliant and suitable for international shipping. Attaining ISPM 15 certification means that the heat treatment will last the lifetime of the pallet, and the pallet will be stamped with the letters "HT" to indicate that this is the case.

If a pallet is stamped with the letters "MB", this means that it was chemically treated to protect against insects and mould spores. Whilst still appropriate for use for shipping bulky packages, these pallets will have a much reduced appeal to DIYers as the chemical used, methyl bromide, is toxic and hazardous to human health when sawed or burned. They are also unsuitable for use transporting medical supplies or items for the food industry.

The final option for treating pallets is to varnish them with a lacquer or sealant which will fully waterproof them, sealing them from insect attack and water ingress. This will typically prevent the growth of any new mould but as the chemicals can be harmful with prolonged exposure, they should be applied in a well ventilated area and care should be taken when handling, dismantling, or re-purposing varnished pallets.

Preventing Pallets from Rotting

Mould is undesirable as it can be harmful to human health and reduce the life of the pallets. Treating the pallets will kill existing mould spores, but with the exception of varnishing, will not prevent new spores from appearing, especially if stored in a damp environment. Mould cannot survive on pallet wood in a well ventilated environment with less than 19% moisture, but if you are unable to control the climate in your warehouse to maintain these conditions, there are actions that you can take to prevent or reduce mould damage and pallet rot.

The three best ways to prevent pallets from rotting are:

1. Lift your pallets up off the ground. If the floor in your warehouse or distribution unit is prone to damp, keeping pallets off the ground is a sensible move to protect the wood from water ingress and rot. Rows of bricks will lift the pallets, provide good support and allow for 360 degree airflow around the pallet.

2. Allow air to circulate. Whilst lifting your pallets off the ground will allow air to circulate underneath them, packing them too tightly will slow the airflow and could allow for a situation where damp can accumulate on the pallet edges. Storing pallets with a small gap between them will allow for increased airflow, which will help them to remain dry.

3. Swap the pallets around every so often. If the pallets are being stored on a long-term basis, swapping them around enables the exposure of the wood to the elements to be adjusted. This could be as simple as rotating the pallet on its own axis in the same space, or rotating the pallets around so that they experience slightly different environmental conditions within the same storage unit.

Heat Treated Pallets in London
There are many options for obtaining heat treated pallets in London, with many manufacturers offering a choice of new or reconditioned pallets for sale, depending on the intended purpose. There are also companies that offer a heat treatment service for untreated pallets.