Most telephone poles are made from either pine or fir. Trees used for this purpose must be between 10 and 20 inches in diameter with straight, healthy trunks at least 30 feet tall. A lot of work goes into turning unmilled lumber into products ready for Telephone Pole Installation in Wilkes-Barre PA. Read on to find out about the basics of this process.
Milling and Drying
Once a lumber company has selected trees that meet the strict requirements for fabricating telephone poles, they will cut the specimens down and transport them to a mill for processing. At the mill, the trees will be cut to length, debarked, and sorted. Most mills dry wood by placing the trees in a kiln set to 200 degrees for around three days to remove moisture.
Chemical Processing
Since telephone poles are constantly exposed to the elements, they need to be protected against mold, rot, and termites. Manufacturers preserve the poles using a mixture of 98% water and 2% preservatives. A mixture of chrome, copper, and arsenic will be left to seep into the pole, protecting it from the elements for between 45 and 60 years.
The Installation Process
Only trained professionals should handle Telephone Pole Installation in Wilkes-Barre PA. The installation process requires heavy equipment and a good deal of specialized expertise. Only licensed electricians can work on wiring, so property owners really can’t take on this project by themselves.
Repairing Telephone Poles
There are a few reasons telephone poles might need repairs. Severe weather events, animal damage, and age top the list, but human error can also come into play, especially if the pole is located near a road. Whether a pole outside the home has been damaged by insects and woodpeckers or a driver has knocked it out of place during a collision, property owners need to call experienced contractors to provide repairs as soon as possible.
The Bottom Line
Telephone poles often go unnoticed until something is wrong, which makes sense since every step of the manufacturing process is designed to make sure they last. When property owners need to run electrical or phone lines to their homes or offices, they may need to have new poles installed. Visit Quality Electric today to learn about one company that can help.
