Deck - Help!

[Gorilla]

Turns out our deck was built without pressure treated wood. Some joists are rotting now.

My choices

1. - rip off the entire deck and rebuild using pressure treated wood.
2. - Use something like Thompson water seal to protect the joists.

The deck itself will be composite decking *Trek

[spike98]

Rebuild. If you are going with Trek there is no point on using suspect wood. Build it to last.

[mr2mike]

REbuild with everything PT below the trek planking.
It shouldn't take too long as you have the concrete footings, etc poured already.

Use a sawzall and it'll be down in 10 min.

[gogreen]

I had a landing made of untreated wood that was showing rot in a few places, but once I tore into it I found the rot to be much more extensive than I first suspected. It was painted top and bottom and the paint was still in good shape for the most part, which hid a lot of the issues.

Chances are if some joists are rotting then they may all be rotting to a certain extent.

[BavarianBeast]

You should try Schaeffers deck sealant.

[Thaco]

yeah full rebuild, it sucks but it'll prevent you from having to do it again in 2 years.

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by spike98
Rebuild. If you are going with Trek there is no point on using suspect wood. Build it to last.

This.

...and this is common complaint including mine (there's a thread on Beyond about this).

Used PT wood , followed instructions to the letter and stained it, and yet the stain started peeling off following the first winter after application.

I'm thinking the point of pressure treated, also prevents wood stain from absorbing and working properly.

Anyway, from what I've learned? If it's outside, than it's either non-degradable materials, or don't do it at all.

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by BavarianBeast
You should try Schaeffers deck sealant.

Put a temporary band aid on the surface, and ignore the sides and underside.

[MalibuStacy]

Originally posted by BavarianBeast
You should try Schaeffers deck sealant.

Shit you beat me to it

[BavarianBeast]