Warning: Watch Out for Bad Lumber at Big Box Stores Lately

I was at the Home Depot in Tacoma last week and overheard a contractor telling the lumber guy that he returned 40% of a recent order because of hidden rot inside the boards. He said the wood looked fine on the outside but was completely punky once he cut into it. Has anyone else been burned by this or found a way to spot it before buying?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor.amy29d agoTop Commenter

Wait, 40 percent? That's insane. I would have lost my mind if I hauled a bunch of lumber home and had to drag half of it back. For real, who has time to play lumber inspector on every single board? I've definitely noticed some shady looking 2x4s lately, stuff that looks straight but feels way too light. But that hidden rot thing is a whole new level of nasty. You basically have to buy a moisture meter just to leave the store now, which is ridiculous.

aaronclark28d ago

Dude, moisture meter for 2x4s. What a joke. That sums up everything wrong with lumber right now.