How to Find Deck Lumber Faults

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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When building your deck, it is important that the lumber you are using is top quality. This will preserve the beauty and longevity of the deck itself and save you money that you might otherwise spend on replacing rotted or warped boards. Familiarizing yourself with possible faults and defects can prevent unfortunate consequences in the future.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Examine your lumber closely and carefully. Look for any strange spots or discolorations that don't fit with the rest of the consistency of the wood. These are usually signs of some kind of defect or fault.

Step2

Run your hand along the lumber boards one by one and feel for bumps or grooves. The lumber should be relatively even and should not contain very concave or convex areas.

Step3

Set the boards on their sides and look for any curvature or other indication that the board is not straight. This could be a sign that the deck lumber has internal faults or is easily warped.

Step4

Look for holes that may have been caused by insects. If insects have been drilling through the boards, the deck lumber will be less sturdy and more susceptible to rotting or deterioration.

Step5

Search the deck lumber for any cracks that may exist. If the cracks are severe, the board should not be used. Even if they are not severe, it is probably still best to use a board without any cracks instead.

Tips & Warnings

Asking a professional at a hardware store or lumber store is always helpful. They will be able to tell you more specifically what kinds of faults you should be looking for that can be the most detrimental towards the quality of your deck.
As you examine the deck lumber, be careful of splinters. It may be useful to wear gloves to avoid any possible injury.