In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

EPDM Rubber Sheeting for top cover?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Drifitingnorthpole, Jan 30, 2022.

  1. Drifitingnorthpole

    Drifitingnorthpole

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    I'm trying to stay ahead of the building inspector.....if I nail anything to the top of a wood pile, say, tin roofing, the triggers his permit requirement. I'm not going to get into a pizzing contest with him. What I've got going on are the ubiquitous "rick racks": 2 by 4's fastened to 4 by 4 feet, 8 ft long, and a 6 foot 2by sticking up at either end (yes, holds a bit more than a rick). They stack nicely, and are easily moved when empty, and apparently "don't require a permit". What sucks is I'm in a rural area, and the previous wood pile tin roof showed up on air photo. County commission denied a property tax increase so this is how they're bleeding money out of us. I digress.....

    Seen a few photos of some piles covered with black rubber sheeting, which I can find on AMZ for 150 an amount that will well serve my needs for many years. Is "Firestone RubberGard 45-Mil EPDM Roofing Rubber" a legit top cover for a pile? I'm not trying to build the Taj Mahal here, just keep the pile dry, for as cheap as possible, and easily re-configured. Trying to use least amount of wood and screws possible.
     
  2. stuckinthemuck

    stuckinthemuck

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    Just attach some wheels to the wood stacks and call them an unregistered trailer in need of repair….
     
  3. Theashhole

    Theashhole

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    That's ridiculous they would consider tin on a stack of wood an "out building" but rubber roofing should be great, I'd call a roofing supplier nearby and see if they have scratch & dent sheets for cheap. I've heard plenty of people using it.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
     
  4. Fanatical1

    Fanatical1

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    I have EPDM on all my stacks. I got mine from a roofing company tear off and they were glad to have me take it for free to avoid landfill disposal costs. No screws for me just old pavers to hold it down works well.

    I cut it to about 32” wide or so and I think it works great. Check around with commercial roofers.

    CDCC216F-29F5-4A0C-8736-4A0F3AEEEA2F.jpeg
     
  5. Stephiedoll

    Stephiedoll

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    Love the stuff. Neighbor gave me a few peices. Use it for wood as well as covering the splitter and other junk. Also picked up some 24" wide conveyer belt that works very well just a little narrow.
     

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  6. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Contact some local commercial roofer contractors in your area as stated above. They throw away the old stuff they tear off roofs. Still lots of life left in it. May be glad to give you some.

    BTW...that Firestone stuff is just fine.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2022
  7. jo191145

    jo191145

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    That’s insane. You need a new building inspector. Guys off his rocker.

    I have a little over a thousand square feet of it. Wish I had kept more. Works great and it’s enough to cover a years worth of wood.
    The Firestone 45 mil is just fine. Comes in thicker 60 mil too but 45 is fine. Oddly enough it seems to me the lighter 45 blows off the top less than the 60. Only thing I can think of is when that weight gets moving it’s harder to stop. My wood is in an open field at the top of a hill. Gets windy up here at times.
    I split big chunks of heavy wood to put on top. I pay attention to the top of the stacks. Try to keep them smooth and even. No cavity’s in the middle, no sharp pointy pieces facing up. Cacities will fill with water and pull the rubber into the middle. Have the t-shirt.
    Also use an aluminum pole I had to roll them up. Rolling is much easier to take off and reinstall than dealing with a large strip of rubber.
    Mine are cut 5’ x 25’. Covers a three foot wide stack real nice.
    Some people have opined rubber keeps the moisture in. I havent found that to be true. I checked when I started using it. For about a week you can see water vapor on the inside. Not even droplets just a thin vapor. The sun turns it into an oven in the summer under there. Driest wood in the stack is coming from under that rubber ;)
     
  8. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Rubber is a time tested way of keeping your wood dry...:whistle: :thumbs:
    Never heard of it being taxed before though! :picard: :hair:
     
  9. jo191145

    jo191145

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    Did a quick search myself. In general in Tennessee there’s no permit requirement for detached garages and outbuildings. Couldn’t find anything on taxes for such. One caveat, different counties may have different codes than state codes. Without knowing the county it’s hard to say. Size of structure may come into play.
    If none of the sheets are nailed to each other they now are separate small structures LOL
    Personally I’d be irate and tear that building inspector a new one from top to bottom ;)
     
  10. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    That is insane calling it a permanent building. My question then to the inspector is if that tax comes off when that is torn down! I would also take pictures and go in front of the board of review. I don't know how yours are set up but we can do that just once per year.
     
  11. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Yes! Grab some, you will find it to be very sufficient. I put a bunch of grommets in mine and use bungee cords to keep it from blowing off.