Hi,
I have an old deck into the house I just moved in. I appears like the deck is rotten and infested.
What kind of wood would be good to replace. I am thinking of pressure treated wood for frame replacement and may be douglas fir/pine/redwood for planks.
Prefer a cheaper planks. How can I prevent future termite infestation and rotting?
Do I have to do anthing special to the existing infestation, or just pull them wood out and replace.
thanks
sm
COMMUNITY FORUM
- Forum >
- Lawn & Garden >
- Redoing Deck
Southern species which have attack-resistant heartwood include the cedars, black locust, red mulberry, osageorange, and old-growth cypress.
Old growth bald cypress was once considered a highly durable species. Research has shown that today's second growth cypress is not naturally durable.
Wood cut from several western trees, including redwood and western red cedar, is often considered to be naturally durable. However, when these species are used in the South, the durability of the wood is, at best, variable. Much of the wood cut from these species will decay or succumb to termites in just a few years.
So... use a pressure treat for the framing, order the 0.40 Retention (lbs/ft3) Ground Contact that is better for termites.
The new pressure treament requires special fastners, so get double zinc coated or stainless steel nails & hardware
Use a post base (Simpson strong tie) that has a 1" seperation from concrete to post, and coat all wood cuts with copper napthanate.
The decking if you are in termite country look into composites. Here is an article I put on my web site a few years ago, but it holds up: http://www.altereagle.com/Composite_Deck.html
I prefer Trex, with 19.5 o/c joisting, but you'll be better to decide for yourself, dependent what part of the country and side of the house you'll place the deck.
Final note, be sure to check the termites didn't migrate into the house and get the old deck removed as soon as possible.
Check my deck site for designing the joist spans, beams etc there are some charts on there we use in CA decks
http://www.altereagle.com/
http://decks-ca.com
http://kingofcrown.com
Alter Eagle Construction & Design
Old growth bald cypress was once considered a highly durable species. Research has shown that today's second growth cypress is not naturally durable.
Wood cut from several western trees, including redwood and western red cedar, is often considered to be naturally durable. However, when these species are used in the South, the durability of the wood is, at best, variable. Much of the wood cut from these species will decay or succumb to termites in just a few years.
So... use a pressure treat for the framing, order the 0.40 Retention (lbs/ft3) Ground Contact that is better for termites.
The new pressure treament requires special fastners, so get double zinc coated or stainless steel nails & hardware
Use a post base (Simpson strong tie) that has a 1" seperation from concrete to post, and coat all wood cuts with copper napthanate.
The decking if you are in termite country look into composites. Here is an article I put on my web site a few years ago, but it holds up: http://www.altereagle.com/Composite_Deck.html
I prefer Trex, with 19.5 o/c joisting, but you'll be better to decide for yourself, dependent what part of the country and side of the house you'll place the deck.
Final note, be sure to check the termites didn't migrate into the house and get the old deck removed as soon as possible.
Check my deck site for designing the joist spans, beams etc there are some charts on there we use in CA decks
http://www.altereagle.com/
http://decks-ca.com
http://kingofcrown.com
Alter Eagle Construction & Design
What is 0.4 retention ground contact? A plastic tarp?
Any insecticides to spray to prevent more build up below (like sub-terranian termiate or others pests below).
Any insecticides to spray to prevent more build up below (like sub-terranian termiate or others pests below).
"ground contact" is a grade of pressure treating.. you have to watch what you buy.
Ground treat, has .40 lbs retention of the treatment into cubic ft of wood. There are higher grades for foundations even still with cca, but try not to get less than the above, with the newer azca & borax treatments you want the treatment to go in deeper last longer and get that copper to work for you preserving the wood.
Look at the tag on the stock they will have the info there in most places, if not look at the stamp or ask the supplier.
On the termite situation I'd call an exterminator, I'm still learning construction / structural engineering & building design after 30 years and have my hands full there :)
http://www.altereagle.com/
http://decks-ca.com
http://kingofcrown.com
Alter Eagle Construction & Design
Ground treat, has .40 lbs retention of the treatment into cubic ft of wood. There are higher grades for foundations even still with cca, but try not to get less than the above, with the newer azca & borax treatments you want the treatment to go in deeper last longer and get that copper to work for you preserving the wood.
Look at the tag on the stock they will have the info there in most places, if not look at the stamp or ask the supplier.
On the termite situation I'd call an exterminator, I'm still learning construction / structural engineering & building design after 30 years and have my hands full there :)
http://www.altereagle.com/
http://decks-ca.com
http://kingofcrown.com
Alter Eagle Construction & Design
