Why are new deck boards splitting?

When the sun bakes this moisture out of the lumber, it creates significant tension stress within the wood fibers. Tension is the force that happens when you try to stretch or bend something. As the sun cooks out the water, the lumber shrinks. This shrinkage usually causes tiny checking cracks to form.

Is it normal for deck wood to crack?

Cracks: Fill and seal. Although cracking on a deck isn’t attractive, it’s usually just a normal sign of aging. If the cracks are less than six inches long, all you need to do is fill them in with latex wood filler and then finish off the deck with sealant.

Is it normal for pressure treated wood to split?

Over time, most treated lumber will shrink slightly across its width as it dries out. After being outdoors for six to 12 months, treated lumber will develop cracks, called “checks,” along the surface of each board. These hairline cracks are a normal part of the drying process.

How do I stop my deck boards from splitting?

Along with keeping the fasteners back from the edge of the board, making room around the screw shank in the decking will minimize splitting. Creating room around the screw allows the wood to shrink without splitting. to prevent splitting, pre-drill or self-cutting screws.

How do you fix splitting deck boards?

Cracks and Splits If the bottom of the board also is cracked, or is in worse shape than the top, inject the cracks with flexible polyurethane caulk. Deck boards expand and contract; any other type of wood filler — such as wood putty — also will crack after a few weeks or months, so don’t use it.

How do I keep my deck posts from splitting?

If your posts are cracking, it’s likely because they are brittle and dry. Apply some type of wood stain or sealer containing natural wood oil to bring back a supple quality to the wood to prevent further problems.

How do you stop decking boards creaking?

One of the simplest ways to fix a creak is to tighten the board that is squeaking. For deck boards that are nailed or screwed down from the top, add additional screws or nails where the creak is occurring. This will help hold the board more firmly in place on top of the joists.

How do you repair split wood on a deck?

Why do timbers split and crack?

Eric Morley on why timbers split and crack, how long it takes timber to dry, where to get dry timbers, and why gunshots in the night are nothing to be afraid of when you understand wood checking. Splits and cracks (known as wood checks in the industry) occur when wood shrinks as it dries.

Why does moisture cause wood to split?

Moisture gets trapped in the wood and causes swelling when the moisture dries away to quickly it cracks the wood and causes premature aging. Always use treated wood. The treatment does eventually age and weakens therefore causing splitting. Cracking in wood is a drying defect, caused by a rapid loss in moisture.

Why does my deck crack every two years?

The wood gets wet, soaks up the water, expands and then drys out, contracting and shrinking, causing cracks in the surface of the wood. Repairing the cracks and sealing the wood every two years is a sound alternative to replacing the entire deck.

Why is my deck not as stable as it was?

Because when the deck was installed the wood wasn’t dried correctly, too much moisture left behind. and it was never finished properly. All wood contains water and needs to dry to a certain moisture content so as to remain “dimensionally stable”. No warping or twisting or checking.