Pressure treated decking

[mrvm]

Small 12 x 12 deck built as an outpost at the edge of my wooded lot. Quiet private viewing of the woods and nature. Any suggestions for wood treatment to help make it last longer as the insects have no problem chewing through treated lumber. Framing 2x12s and 6x6 posts on cement piers are intact but the decking will need to be replaced as there are many hollow sections that are dangerous to walk onto.

 

[jkeyser14]

It looks like it is past saving. You need to seal it every couple of years.

 

[MarlynOC]

Screwed in so much easier to remove than nailed. Replace it all and seal it with Ready Seal or Armstrong Clark Sealer every 2 to 3 years. Clan before sealing using Wood Bleach

 

[u2slow]

I lightly pressure wash and re-treat with green wood preservative every 2-3 years.

Past decks have proven to me that coatings always crack/peel, and if anything - hamper natural drying, which promotes rot.

I would consider a non-drying oil product, but so far haven't chosen one.

 

[CraigStu]

Replace it w/ composite. Even the least expensive is going to have less problems than wood. while you are at it look plastic railings too. They make pvc sleeves to slip down over the 4x4 posts and the railings screw to the posts through the pvc sleeve. Careful choice of colors for deck and railings could make this spectacular.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Replace it w/ composite. Even the least expensive is going to have less problems than wood.

Have you seen the price of composite decking ?!!! Yes, it lasts forever, but it does fade in strong sunlight.

HD PT decking is 5/4 (1" full after planeing). Routed/rounded edge. It will need to be washed at least once a year

 

[CraigStu]

Yep, I have. I am doing a front porch as we speak. The price ***** for sure but it is as close to forever as you can get. And during that forever all it needs a to be hosed down once in a while. Color fades? Fading beats the heck out of what wood does.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I'll vote for Trex. I redid the back deck, stairs, and the front balcony in it. Yes, it was silly money. Can't beat rinse with hose, give finger.

 

[jonesg]

that developed because it was probably left with wet leaves under the snow over winter.
We always sweep the leaves off in fall before the first snow. Going on 6 or 7 years now with nothing done to it, we might sand it and brush some treament on this summer.
I would also cut some trees back so the sun can keep it dry.

 

[PCustoms]

Have you seen the price of composite decking ?!!! Yes, it lasts forever, but it does fade in strong sunlight.

Looking at the photos, I don't see any strong sunlight....

The constant damp and time killed that deck. I think that there would be benefit to trimming some of that growth back and improving the airflow. With the new deck, I'd also hit with a light power wash every year or 2.

Edit: this needs more then just new decking, the joists/frame are rotted too, you can see it in the pics so I'm sure once everything starts getting torn off there will be more and more.

OP, can you make it a patio?

 

[WisJim]

What quality of treatment did the wood have? Around here there are at least 3 levels of treatment and I always try to get and use ground contact grade from a reputable source. Lumber not treated for ground contact doesn't seem to last well even if elevated, such as decking.

 

[Renegade1LI]

It’s not a real big deck, rebuild with pt or composite.

 

[Mike65]

Trex for sure.

 

[rburke65]

I think it’s beyond saving

 

[Shoptime]

You may have ground contact framing and above ground decking and railing. When the industry voluntarily discontinued CCA in 2003 as a preservative for most purposes, ACQ & CA replaced it. Unfortunately, especially during the first couple of years under the new chemicals, quite a bit of material was treated just for above ground use. Only the sizes typically used for framing were treated to the higher retention level. If you decide to keep the existing framing and redeck, spend the money up front for Trex in exchange for lower maintenance and cleaning costs. Or use ground contact treated lumber, give it a gentle pressure wash each year, a coat of Sikkens Cetol DEK, and get another 12-15 years out of it. Keep in mind most composite brands require 12" joist centers with 45 degree flooring. I can't tell for certain but I think you have 16" centers. Personally though, given the apparent age of the deck, I'd spend the extra money and do a total replacement, regardless of whether it's with treated or composite.

 

[Bill T]

Composite decking drops and odd lots appear in my area on Craigs list. Folks build decks ,etc., and have leftovers. Before I purchased new composite, I would use one of the availble search engines to search for decking. The one that I use is "SearchTempest.com". It is a free app. Once you locate the app, you enter the item you are searching, enter your zip code, then enter the serach raidus (how far you are willing to drive to pick it up). It will list all items that meet your criteria in Craigs List, Facebook Market Place, ebay, etc. . With a little practice, it is a real money saver. I am old school. My parents taught me to always look on the clearance rack first when shopping.