Deck / wood preservative on end cuts

7/14/2012 at 10:15:24 AM

If you want your deck to last its important. Where the saw cut away the sealer water and bugs enter the wood and rots it from the inside.

7/14/2012 at 11:46:36 PM

I wouldn't say that its a must but it is definetly that best way to do the job and the product would last that much longer with its use.

7/15/2012 at 12:20:29 PM

Ana,

A must, no ... but the ends should be "touched up" to make them look better and to help prevent any chance of moisture causing damage to the inside of the cut boards.

7/15/2012 at 9:55:03 PM

Hello, Thank you for your question.

I personally believe that endcut presevative is a must do to the fact the exposed ends will wear or rot much faster with out it. In turn the wood would last at least half as long as it should.

7/16/2012 at 4:12:55 PM

Hi Ana,

I agree with the posts before me that a wood preservative is good but it is not a must.

Generally, beams and joists should be pressure treated materials and the ends should be preserved.

Decking, I wouldn't use it on the decking unless you got an pressure treated deck.

If the area is dry and is unlikely to see moisture or minor moisture than it won't make a big difference in the life time of your deck. A roof for example is almost never done with pressure treated wood and the ends aren't preserved either because there shouldn't be any moisture.

it wouldn't make sense to preserve the ends if the rest of the lumber isn't preserved either.

I hope this helps a bit.

Ronny

7/17/2012 at 6:07:24 AM

Thank you to all who replied to my query.

We did use pressure treated lumber on my deck however no end cut preservative was used although I requested it. I was talked out of it, being told it wasn't necessary, that the factory pressure treatment went right thru the lumber, that I wouldn't like the dark forest green colour of the end cut preservative and that it only came in the one dark ugly colour. Against my better judgement, I gave up the fight, only to regret it.

I am now armed with the knowledge/opinions of many of you good contractors to put in my arsenal.

Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated.