Decks

[HADave]

Am I correct in thinking that a deck can be built unattached without a permit if it is under a certain height? Could this also apply to walkways?

Is there also a ground contact treated material that is also treated for insects that isn't real pricey?

Aloha HADave

[Carey]

Dave, you can buy a copper dip treatment from Jasco at Home Depot, but it is not like the pressure treatment for lumber penetration. Lowes does have the green (Outdoor)pressure treated lumber, 4x4 & 2x lumber in stock. You can also get a plastic product 4x4 from Honsador that is structural & resistant to just about everything (but they only have it in 54" lengths & it is pricey).
On the Deck, I think that the height is no more than 24" & a certain sq. ft., (but I have a fuzzy recollection of the specifics) Aloha, Carey

[pam jones]

Hi Buzz
We got our treated 4x4's at Home Depot and they do have other sizes as well. Be prepared for severe sticker shock compared to even a year ago. Ouch!

[Carey]

Pam J., was your treated lumber the extertior (green colored) pressure treated, or just the Hi-bor treated lumber? Hi-Bor is not an exterior treatment. The little end taggy on our 4x4 states for "For use in above ground weather protected structural framing". This would exclude exterior decks that are not "weather protected". Some of the sales guys at HD will assure you that is OK, but it is not their deck that will rot. The manufacture (Osmosis) does not recommend Hi-bor for certain applications, that is why they manufacture & sell the exterior green stuff. The old pressure treating yard in Hilo used to manufacture the exterior stuff, but now it has to be shipped, and we have not found an east side lumber yard that is shipping it in. (possibly because people are not reading the micro print on the end taggy & believing the sales guy? Also I found out you should keep those taggies, or a reciept that proves manufacture, for warranty work...who in their right mind keeps those little taggies?) Man, the stuff you learn in a short time in Paradise!!!!
Aloha, Carey

[Jamie]

There is a product called cedarshield available here that can be applied by submersion brush or roller. And is made for underground even underwater applications!
The best part is the active ingredient is cedar oil...Good for green, cured and pre treated lumber.
I would still always keep posts above ground on a concrete pier.

Jamie
J.Kerns Renovations and Carpentry Services

[HADave]

Hey Jamie, will the product act as a sealer as well as treatment for ground contact? Will it keep the Hi-Bor treatment from leaching away in wet applications? Is it very expensive?

Thanks also to Carey for your copper dip from Jasco do you know if it as well is considered an exterior wood sealer?

I think it would be nice to find something that could be sprayed that would double as a wood sealer and a treatment for ground contact.

the problem with most treated exterior lumber is it won't take the new lead free paints and stains without peeling.

Thanks HADave

[Jamie]

Yes it is also a sealer /primer I beleive its $35 gallon.

[mella l]

Chromated Copper Arsenate is used here in No Cal on decks and the such where ever a cut has been made. It killed fungus and persuaded termites to search elsewhere. It is like a pesticide and you can dip the cut wood in it, or brush it on like with a paint brush. It isn't that expensive as I recall but haven't bought any for 20 years. CCA's were banned in Germany in the 70's and in New Jersey in the 90's. It is not to be burned even in state of the art toxin burning furnaces, as the properties are not destroyed. That begs the question on how it should be disposed of when needed and I don't know the answer to that. It is quite toxic.

mella l

[HADave]

Thanks Buzz, I'm glad to hear to having such good success with your PT product I've been considering boardwalks around my property you have just gotten me closer to a final decision about following through.

It is funny I've never stained or painted any of my PT material for going on 10 years and last summer I primed and stained it all and everything that is horizontal is peeling off didn't even last 6 months. go figure, I even cleaned the deck surfaces with the proper cleaners before hand. Next time I'll just let it weather it didn't look as bad as it does now.

Oh and Thankya Neighbor Girl for the triv on CCA. May be someone will figure that Madam Pele can eat the stuff, at 2k degrees it can't give off toxins for too long. :^o oh....course it won't be me..)

HADave

[Carey]

We had stained our PTL back on the mainland with no trouble, yet our across the street neighbor had problems with peeling & blistering. (We used both Thompson semi transparent and their clear & I know our neighbor used a higher end product, go figure!) we did let our sit out for a few months before staining (usually a year)
Aloha, Carey