| Building a new deck or replacing an older one | | | | Just because the manufacture of treated |
| will prove to be and excellent investment, | | | | lumber using CCA was halted it doesn't mean |
| however there are certain pitfalls that a | | | | that you need to destroy your deck if you |
| person should be aware of. Be sure to spend | | | | used that material. A good coating of a name |
| some time checking these before beginning | | | | brand oil based sealer or paint will seal the |
| construction. | | | | wood and make it safe. This should be done |
| | | | every couple of years to be safe. |
| Spend a little extra time in planning the | | | | |
| layout of the deck so it will be large enough | | | | New methods of fastening the ACQ treated wood |
| for all your planned activities. It is | | | | is necessary. No longer will regular metal |
| important that the layout blends or goes well | | | | nails of screws hold up since the copper in |
| with the surrounding area, consider the | | | | the material will corrode the unprotected |
| angles of the sun and shading. | | | | steel fasteners. The recommended screws are |
| | | | poly-coated and any nails should be at least |
| Take your sketches and ideas of what you want | | | | the hot-dipped nails not the hot galvanized |
| to your local lumber dealer or favorite | | | | nails or screws. Joist hangers and connectors |
| supplier and be sure to consider their | | | | should be of the (TZ) type which means they |
| suggestions and ideas. They can probably draw | | | | are triple zinc coated with a thicker |
| up a plan for you and give you a pretty close | | | | galvanized coating. |
| estimate of the materials needed and the | | | | |
| cost. As decks become more popular, suppliers | | | | The type of flashing between the concrete |
| and contractors are more familiar with the | | | | pillars or foundation should be of copper or |
| construction methods and will make sure that | | | | a copper coated material. Do not use aluminum |
| you choose the right type and makeup of | | | | flashing as it will corrode due to the copper |
| materials. | | | | used in the treatment of the lumber. |
| | | | |
| Most decks are still being constructed with | | | | Because wood is a porous material and can be |
| treated lumber, however there is a new player | | | | damaged by the UV rays of the sun it is |
| on the scene. A new composite board that | | | | important that you protect your deck by |
| requires no sealers or painting is being used | | | | cleaning it with a power washer and giving it |
| by some builders, however it will increase | | | | a good protective coating every two years or |
| the cost of materials about 80 to 100 | | | | so. You made a large investment when you had |
| percent. If your pocketbook allows it you | | | | your deck built and a little care will afford |
| might want to opt to use this new material. | | | | you many years of pleasure. |
| | | | |
| Before the year 2003 the pressure treated | | | | Railings are important on decks and can be |
| wood was treated with chromate copper | | | | constructed of the same treated material. |
| arsenate (CCA), however the EPA forced | | | | There are other choices for railings such as |
| manufacturers to stop using this process, | | | | metal and vinyl. Pre-fab spindles are now |
| still allowing lumber companies and dealers | | | | available at most material suppliers and are |
| to sell out their inventory of CCA products. | | | | easy to install. |
| The problem that popped up after several | | | | |
| years of these treated timbers being in the | | | | Special lighting in the area of the steps are |
| ground caused a leaching of arsenic into the | | | | an important factor not only to enhance the |
| surrounding soil. There was concern that this | | | | beauty of the deck but also ad security. Any |
| would present a danger and health risk to | | | | steps should be well lighted for safety sake. |
| children and persons who came in contact with | | | | Safe low voltage lighting systems are popular |
| the contaminated soil. | | | | and the cost is well worth the benefits. |
| | | | |
| Today most manufacturers have changed the | | | | Most communities have ordnances or |
| treatment process and are using a compound | | | | regulations covering decks and swimming pools |
| called alkaline copper quat (ACQ). Other | | | | and it is very important that you check with |
| treatment compounds are being considered for | | | | the code official in you town or community |
| approval by the EPA, one of them being acid | | | | before starting construction. There are |
| copper chromate (ACC). These new products are | | | | financial penalties if you do not have an |
| considered to be safe for such use as decks | | | | official permit before any construction |
| and mailbox posts. | | | | begins. |
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