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