Pallet repair restores damaged pallets to functional service, often as Grade B.
Detailed Definition
Pallet repair returns a damaged pallet to service by fixing or replacing the broken parts. Typical repairs include replacing cracked or missing deck boards, reinforcing or replacing damaged stringers or blocks, re-nailing loose boards and removing or setting protruding nails. Repaired pallets are usually sold as a recycled grade, often called Grade B or #2, but grade names are trade terms that vary by supplier rather than a national standard, so buyers should define acceptable repairs in their own specification.
Common repair methods
- Deck board replacement: broken boards are cut out and replaced with boards of matching thickness, often salvaged from dismantled pallets.
- Stringer plating: a metal plate is pressed or nailed across a cracked stringer to hold it together.
- Companion stringer: a new or salvaged piece is nailed alongside a damaged stringer to share the load.
- Block replacement on block pallets, and re-nailing loose components.
Repairs and ISPM-15 marks
Repair affects whether a pallet can still carry an ISPM-15 mark. Under the standard, replacement parts must come from treated wood, and depending on how much of the pallet is replaced, either the new parts must be individually marked or the whole unit must be treated and marked again. A pallet with most of its parts replaced counts as remanufactured, and old marks must be permanently removed before it is re-treated and re-marked. Export buyers should confirm how repaired pallets were handled.
What to check on a repaired pallet
Look for plates or nails sticking out, replacement boards of the wrong thickness, uneven deck height that can upset conveyors or dispensers, and repairs that block fork openings.
Authoritative Sources
- National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA): the US trade association representing wood pallet manufacturers, recyclers, and component producers, founded in 1947.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a repaired pallet as strong as a new one?
Not necessarily. A well-repaired pallet can perform well for many loads, but repairs vary. Plated or companion stringers, mixed species and salvaged boards of different thickness can change stiffness and capacity compared with the original design. For heavy loads, racking or automated lines, specify which repairs are acceptable, inspect samples and, where loads are critical, use new pallets or designs evaluated for the application.
When is a pallet not worth repairing?
Repair makes sense when the pallet is a standard size in demand and the damage is limited to a few boards or one stringer. When several stringers or blocks are broken, the pallet is an unusual size with little resale demand, or the wood is rotten or contaminated, recyclers usually dismantle it for parts or grind it instead. The cut-off point depends on labor, parts and the local market for that pallet type.