Decking Rework

[Davejam]

Hello all,
I need to embark on redoing some decking so I have some questions...

The Posts in the ground and joists appear to be in decent condition. The main issue is top deck boards have to be replaced.

So, what should i use on the posts and joists to make sure they last as long as the new top?
Should copper coating + stain/sealer be used? And how would i apply both? Do you recommend joist tape?

After that I do wonder what tools are recommended to make the rest of the project go as easily as possible?

 

[Donald]

Are the posts going into the ground or to concrete in a Soni-tube or block?

Pressure treated wood can be regular treated or ground contact treated.

Wood in the ground typically rots right at where the woods hits the ground. Not below or above.

There is pretty much nothing you can apply to the posts or joists to make them last much longer.

I might consider replacing if the posts actually go in the ground. Dig down a few inches and check it out.

If you can afford it go with IPEA decking. It looks great on the samples I have seen. Not something we use up north however.

The composite wood is expensive and gets hot for bare feet. And needs joists on 12" center I believe. It has little strength.

 

[whatnext]

If the posts in the ground are wood (even pressure treated) then they are toast. The wood rots about 4-6 inches below the surface so you can't see the rot.

I have about 200 ft of 6 ft cedar fence installed in 1992. The cedar posts rot in the ground in about 7 yrs. I initially replaced them with cedar posts but lately I have been using the greenish pressure treated posts so they should last longer. My deck (1992 also) I put the pressure treated posts above ground sitting on concrete supports and covered from rain so they are still good. The pressure treated decking I am starting to replace as they are coming apart now. The microbes in the ground attacking the posts are much much worse than what the decking sees. I am on my 3rd round of fence posts whereas the fencing is still the original cedar.

(Hey Donald, good info there)

 

[benjy]

there are lots of options as usual depending on $$$$, sounds like your DIY + that saves a LOT. even though composite decking gets warm-hot depending on the heat + sun it will likely last a Loooooong Time, i call that cost effective, for posts i would look for something other than wood. the link posted above did not work but checking out forum specific sites would be good

 

[Amkeer]

If the deck is old I would tear the whole thing down and start over. If the posts are buried in dirt its the wrong way to construct a deck. You should have a concrete tube that extends slightly above grade then a post bucket attached to that.