Treated Deck Boards Rotting

Lashed by rain and wind and further weakened by sun exposure wood decks can collapse due to rot and other structural imperfections injuring close to 34 000 people annually.

Treated deck boards rotting.

If you have a pressure treated deck this can be a harder problem to avoid. It s nearly impossible to remove leaf litter from such a narrow gap. Not only are some of the treated wood decking boards rotting but i m also noticing that the tops of some of the joists are. The joists were pressure treated lumber so i was surprised at how badly decayed they were.

Luckily they re incredibly easy to fix. But my friend wasn t. If the existing decking is gray weather the new decking with a solution made from 1 cup of baking soda and 1 gallon of warm water. Dry rot is caused by microorganisms that eat the cellulose from the wood leaving it brittle.

Because dry rot is a fungus it can spread like a cancer throughout a deck. My deck had holes and was starting to rot which make it ugly and could be dangerous too. But wood decks are not expected to last forever. Knowing how to stop wood rot from spreading can mean the difference between spending 20 or 2 000 repairing your deck wood rot in decks is common and can be a minor issue with a simple repair but it can also be a major risk to structural integrity when undetected or left untreated.

So he has two rot fighting tips for deck owners and builders. Outdoor decks can provide years of service as the go to spot for entertaining barbecuing or just relaxing on a sunny day. Deck joists rotting from the top edge down because the deck boards and debris keep them damp for weeks after rain. In certain conditions even pressure treated wood can rot and decay.

Moisture and pooling water on decks can lead to rot and decay. Rinse and let dry. Pressure treated wood can crack and split from water exposure and this will allow fungi to get into the cracks and create wood rot. The best way to protect from pressure treated wood rot is to apply a deck preservative.

This creates a 1 8 inch wide gap that forms a collection zone between boards and on top of every joist. Cut replacement deck boards from matching lumber using a circular saw. Watch this quick guide on. And once the organic matter is in there it can induce rot in the deck boards and in the joists below.

There s no doubt that treated lumber rotting can lead to structural defects that cause decks to collapse. Deck boards many carpenters use 16 penny nails to space deck boards. Apply in the solution with a scrub brush.