How to decide between repairing or replacing pallets

You’ve got a stack of pallets that are looking a little worse for wear. A few splinters here. A broken slat there. Maybe the odd rogue nail. 

Pallets are pretty sturdy beasts, but how do you know when they’ve reached the end of their usefulness? Should you continue repairing? Or is it finally time to replace?

When to replace

You can go on repairing pallets for quite a long time until they’re no longer useful. However, the time has come to replace them when:

• More than a few boards need to be replaced
• The pallet is somehow structurally compromised. That could be large cracks in boards, or that the pallet has warped.
• Mould and moisture has taken root in the pallet. The moisture content should always be below 19%. 
• You notice signs of pest infestations, such as small exit holes in the wood, or sawdust trails near holes.

We can recycle your old pallets for you, and provide you with new ones. Give us a call and we can work out a sensible arrangement for you. 

When to repair

The type of wear and tear that you can repair fairly easily in your pallets includes:

• Replacing damaged boards
• Refitting loose boards
• Repairing small cracks in a slat 
• Replacing loose nails
• Realigning slats that have become misaligned

Things to bear in mind when repairing or replacing pallets

We can give you some guidance about when to repair or replace your pallets, but there’s no hard and fast rule for everyone.

If your pallets carry particularly heavy loads, then you should think about replacing them a little sooner than those that carry lighter loads. 

Similarly, it may depend on the types of goods your pallets carry. If you transport sensitive materials like pharmaceuticals and food, think about replacing the pallets earlier. 

You should also be aware that your pallets will need to be recertified if you replace a slat or a board. If you ship your loads overseas, then you need to comply with ISPM-15 requirements and heat treatment must be reapplied to the pallet.  

Finally, cost is always a factor. Repairing pallets is a cheaper option than replacing. However, you can often sell pallets that need replacing, as they can be used as mulch or recycled in other ways. 

If you have any questions on how to repair or replace your pallets, please do get in touch.