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Deck Repair

Name: david  City: Amboy

Question: took off the old water damaged decking and found most of the 2x8 joists (8) have some water damage on the top where the screws were...the deck is 10x14 with the joists on 2 foot centers...should I just attach new joists to the old or just to the two outside ones that are in good shape and place the others in between not touching the water damaged ones. Also any advantages to tongue and groove decking rather than regular spaced 2x6?

Name: joe | Date: January 30, 2005, 21:01
Answer: What type joist have you? If your joists are water damaged it sounds as if you have do not have treated lumber joists and should consider replacing all your deck joists with treated lumber ones....Only significant advantage to T&G decking vs. standard spaced 2x6 is that you can get a better weatherbarrier for areas below your deck with T&G if that is desirous.