How to Salvage Reclaimed Barnwood

Lay the wood out on a driveway, or other outdoor concrete surface. Use a spray nozzle and garden hose to spray the dirt and cobwebs from the board. Scrub the surface of the wood with a stiff push broom. Do the first side, and then flip the boards over and clean the back side as well.

Lift the wood up off the wet concrete and lay it out across sawhorses or other open supports, such as ladders; anywhere the air can get around the board and the sun can warm it.

Use locking pliers and a pry bar to remove any nails, screws and other hardware from the old wood. Avoid scraping off any paint or stain to preserve the wood's patina. Allow the wood to completely drying before continuing to the next step.

Inspect the boards and sort out boards that have any signs of rot. Stack the good boards in your storage space. Choose a space out of direct sun and rain. Stack the wood on perpendicular boards or pallets. Stack the boards only three or four boards across and three boards high. Place perpendicular braces between every stack of three boards and add more boards on top, so that air can circulate through them.

Cut the rot from the other boards with a circular saw to prevent the rot from spreading. Add the trimmed boards to your other salvaged boards and cover the lumber with a tarp. Use canvas rather than plastic; it breathes and will not sweat when heat and humidity are high.