All pressure-treated wood should be handled with standard safety practices. Wear gloves when handling freshly treated material and wear a dust mask when cutting or drilling. Wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking after handling treated wood.

Do not burn pressure-treated lumber. Dispose of treated wood scraps through normal trash collection or an approved landfill — never in a fire pit, fireplace, or burn pile. The chemicals used in treatment can release toxic compounds when burned.

Store treated lumber on a flat, level surface to prevent warping. If stacking, use stickers (boards or small dimensional pieces) between layers to allow air circulation and promote even drying.

Keep stored lumber off the ground before use. Use concrete blocks, pallets, or treated bearers. Cover the top of the stack to protect from direct rain, but leave the sides open for airflow. Wrapping lumber tightly in plastic traps moisture and promotes mold growth.

For ground-contact applications, set posts a minimum of 2 feet deep for posts up to 6 feet above grade, and 3 feet deep for taller posts. A good rule of thumb is to put about 1/3 of the post in the ground on flat surfaces –– on hills you may need to go deeper. Use tamped gravel or concrete when backfilling depending on your soil conditions and load requirements.

If you must cut a treated post, apply an end-cut preservative to the exposed surface. Ensure the post is sufficiently dry to achieve a clean cut and prevent saw blade from slipping.

Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners with pressure-treated lumber. Standard zinc-plated fasteners will corrode when in contact with treated wood, leading to staining, weakened connections, and premature failure.

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) and Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) are generally significantly less corrosive than ACQ. MCA is has corrosion rates on metal products similar to that of untreated wood.

Freshly treated lumber contains moisture from the treatment process. Allow the wood to dry for 2 to 4 weeks before applying any stain, sealant, or paint. You can test for readiness by sprinkling water on the surface. You'll know it isn't ready if the water beads up, but if it absorbs the water then you're ready to apply finish.

Use a high-quality exterior wood stain or water-repellent preservative. Transparent and semi-transparent stains work best on treated lumber and allow the natural wood grain to show through.