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Started By
Message
Deck question about straightening bowed wood.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 5:42 am
Posted on 2/22/16 at 5:42 am
I'm building a deck and completed all but about 20% of the handrails and the steps. While installing the top runners I used a speed square for the gaps in between. I used a ratchet strap to straighten the bowed pieces. Basically worked the gap down from one side to the other and when I got to the end id use the strap to pull it straight with the gap.
My friend said this will cause too much stress and eventually they'll crack. Is this true? It won't be much work to replace them later but Still.
My friend said this will cause too much stress and eventually they'll crack. Is this true? It won't be much work to replace them later but Still.
3
Posted on 2/22/16 at 6:47 am to RBWilliams8
No it'll do fine, assuming you used ring shanked nails, if not the nails may loosen up. If you screwed it, it's finished. FYI, if you used new treated lumber, those boards will eventually dry up and shrink and the gaps will get bigger than the width of that speed square.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 7:01 am to Boston911
quote:
No it'll do fine, assuming you used ring shanked nails, if not the nails may loosen up. If you screwed it, it's finished. FYI, if you used new treated lumber, those boards will eventually dry up and shrink and the gaps will get bigger than the width of that speed square.
This.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 9:13 am to Boston911
4" deck screws.
Will staining it help from shrinking?
Will staining it help from shrinking?
Posted on 2/22/16 at 11:28 am to RBWilliams8
Nah. I don't think the stain will help other than making it look nicer.
But if u used 4" screws, that stuff ain't moving
But if u used 4" screws, that stuff ain't moving
Posted on 2/22/16 at 11:56 am to RBWilliams8
quote:
I used a ratchet strap to straighten the bowed pieces.
That sounds smart. I had a buddy with a 2x4 bend em straight.
It's been 3 years and the wood hasn't cracked yet. 4" deck screws held just fine.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 1:48 pm to RBWilliams8
It is very rare for a board to crack under the stress needed to straighten it. Not much can keep the wood from shrinking. You are just going to have wider gaps that you would have had by butting the boards up.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 2:17 pm to convertedtiger
I've always been told that butting them up was bad because they'd expand... So I put a 1/8" gap.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 2:51 pm to RBWilliams8
Freshly treated PT lumber will shrink its' arse off. It has already expanded as much as it pretty much ever will in the treatment process. Once the wood dries, it shrinks. I have always butted.
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