Our family here at Docks, Decks and More has realized that in order for our company to provide the service that is steps ahead of our competition is to put the customer first no matter what. We do not start any jobs until you are completely satisfied.
What is hot-dip galvanizing?
Hot-dip galvanizing is a process of providing a protective coating (zinc) over bare steel. The bare steel is cleaned, pickled, fluxed, then dipped in a molten bath of zinc and allowed to cool prior to inspection and shipping. Additional information is available at www.galvinfo.com
What is pressure treatment?
In pressure treatment, chemical preservatives are forced deep into the cellular structure of the wood in a closed cylinder under pressure. This process enables the preserved wood to maintain a chemical barrier against termites and decay for long periods of time, as shown through more than 40 years of continuous field testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Several manufacturers guarantee their treated wood to resist decay and termite attack for 40 years or longer.
Is All Treated Wood The Same?
All wood is not the same. Pressure treated (PT) wood is treated to different levels. The chemical treatment used in pressure treated wood is call Copper Chromated Arsenate, or CCA. Most hardware and home improvement stores carry pressure treated lumber which has 1/4 pound (.25 lb) of chemical per cubic foot of wood. Marine treated lumber is more heavily treated, and the following are guidelines for choosing the proper treatment levels. For ground contact or salt water splash, use a minimum of .40 PT lumber, which has 60% more CCA than .25 lumber. For fresh water immersion (such as fresh water bulkheads), use a minimum of .80 PT lumber. For brackish water immersion, use 1.0 PT lumber. For saltwater immersion, use 2.5 PT lumber. This lumber, at 2.5 pounds of chemical per cubic foot of wood, has 10 times the chemical treatment of .25 boards.
What About Grades of Wood?
Boards come in different grades. #1 grade boards are stronger and have fewer knots. #2 grade boards are less expensive, and are well suited for dock substructures and for bulkheads. Make sure you know which grade will be used for any decking so you get a fair comparison among bids.
How long should I wait before I stain my deck?
Even though the lumber may be kiln-dried before treatment, using water-borne preservatives restores moisture to the wood. Too much moisture in the wood may prevent the stain or paint from penetrating the wood sufficiently. It is best to test the wood by painting or staining a scrap piece to see if it applies properly. If not, wait until it does. A water repellent should be applied annually. Do not use latex paints. Semi-transparent, oil-based stains work best. If you do not have time to wait, purchase wood marked “KDAT” (Kiln-dried after treatment).
Who is the FL DEP?
They are FL’s point of contact for wetlands permitting. They regulate and protect FL wetlands for the future. DDM aids in the permitting process with DMR. Please click on this link to find out more information on DMR and required paperwork to acquire a permit.