![]() The best deck drainage systems are installed above the joists. One of the best ways to avoid deck joist rot is to install an under-deck drainage system. If the treated lumber wasn’t treated properly, this trapped moisture will lead to rot. Paint and film-forming sealers will slow or prevent moisture from escaping from the treated lumber. Your goal is to have all exposed treated lumber looking like it’s brand new all the time.Īvoid sealing or painting the underside of deck joists. These organisms contribute to deck joist rot. Brush out the debris with a stiff brush and wash it with a stream of water to completely clean the wood.Ĭlean the exposed sides and bottom of deck joists as soon as you see any signs of mildew, mold, or algae. ![]() Inspect the deck each fall and remove any accumulated debris that’s resting on top of all joists. If your deck is already built and you can’t install joist tape, do your best to keep the gaps between the decking clear of debris. Once again, use treated lumber rated for direct ground contact or burial. How to Prevent Deck Joist Rotĭeck joist rot prevention begins with purchasing the best treated lumber. When the sun hits the decking, it can cause its temperature to rise to well over 120F creating accelerated rot conditions. Capillary attraction pulls water under the decking, and it’s slow to evaporate. While it may seem that the decking protects the top of the joist from getting wet, it contributes to it because of the narrow space between the two separate pieces of wood. The lack of tape also created a perfect storm for you having to repair deck joist rot. The larger the crack, the more water would enter. This movement would slowly over time enlarge the crack. ![]() Water seeping under the decking would enter the cracks and cause the treated lumber to swell. The issue was that decking fasteners would create micro-cracks in the top of the deck joists. Once you apply this tape to the top of joists, you can scratch replacing rotted deck joists off your to-do list. This tape was developed once it became apparent that the fasteners that hold down decking were contributing to rot. First and foremost is the failure to install deck joist tape on top of deck joists before the decking is applied. Several other factors can accelerate deck joist rot. Over time, this is the perfect formula for wood rot: moisture + heat - ventilation = destruction.Īnother common source of rotted deck joists is when homeowners paint the exposed joists (on three sides), which can cause further damage because as the wood on the top gets wet, there’s no way for the painted wood to release the moisture. Second, in the hot months of summer, the temperature further cooks this trapped, wet wood and accelerates the rotting.The only ventilation is through the quarter-inch (or less) space between the top boards and where the water exits the drainage system. This can decay, creating an organic goo that holds moisture. Debris can collect on the top of the drainage system. The drainage system forms the bottom of an elevated swimming pool of sorts. The drainage system attached to the bottom of the deck joists creates an environment of exceptionally high humidity. First, this type of system can trap moisture.Under-deck drainage systems mounted below the joists can cause damage in three ways: Treated lumber rot often occurs when a deck drainage system is improperly installed below the joists, so wood joists stay wet. This lumber contains the highest amount of copper preservatives you can get. When building a new deck, consider purchasing treated lumber that’s rated for direct ground contact or burial. It’s important to realize you can avoid having to repair deck joist rot by starting with the best-treated lumber you can get. The simple answer is: that any wood that regularly gets wet and can’t dry out will rot. Unfortunately, if rot is advanced and the joist has lost significant strength, rotten joist repair might require major deck surgery. Understand that replacing deck joists can be extremely difficult and time-consuming. If your deck wasn't built using the best-treated lumber, you might be adding replacing deck beams and deck joist repair to your list of things to do.
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