Stocking up on lumber is necessary now given the supply chain issues that most industries still face. Even with those backups of ships outside ports mostly gone, getting the supply chain back on track has been rocky, and lumber has become a precious resource. So if you've been able to get a stockpile of lumber for your farm or ranch, you'll need to protect the lumber from the elements. While lumber is tough, and the wood you buy should already be fully cured, you don't want it to be exposed to more than it has to be.

Protecting Outdoor Lumber Piles From Rain

Any lumber that you can't store inside, such as in a barn, should be elevated off the ground and covered. So, if you had a bunch of two-by-fours, you'd place them all neatly on a platform of some sort and then cover the whole thing with a waterproof tarp. You want the wood on a platform or raised area so that it isn't sitting in mud after a rainstorm, and the cover is, of course, to keep the rain off. Treated lumber that's used for framing and building is able to handle exposure to rain in general, but why take the risk? Keep the lumber covered and keep it dry.

You Can't Stop All Bugs

Next, you'll need to ensure the lumber is safe from bugs and other pests. you have to realize that you won't be able to avoid all pests. If the lumber is stored outdoors, nature will affect it, and that means that some bugs might crawl among the planks. But you can stop infestations of nasty bugs. Lumber can be pressure-treated to be resistant to some bugs like termites; you can also get lumber from tree species that bugs tend to stay away from.

Theft Is Now an Issue

Unless you are truly located in the middle of nowhere, assume that the lumber is at risk of being stolen. Lumber prices have finally started coming down as more supplies hit and stay in the market, but lumber remains a popular item to steal. If the lumber is being stored well away from populated areas and roads, you may be able to get away with just keeping it covered and out of sight. But if it's in a spot where others can see that you have all that lumber, you may want to look for a locking storage cabinet for smaller pieces, and for a locking cover for larger pieces.

For more information about lumber, contact a local company, like Mr Plywood.