pool decking problem

[messmaker]

I built a deck around my above-ground pool last year. I am loving it but a problem has popped up. I butted all of the decking boards flush when I installed it and now I have some gaps at the ends of the boards. I have two or three that are just shy of an inch. I have a dozen that are more like 1/2". The wood was wet when I put it down and I expeceted some contraction but not that much on the length.Is there anything I could use in the gaps or is replacement the only answer? It would require a good bit of work and expense on a fairly new project.

[Russianwolf]

See, this is why I always build my frames from Pressure Treated and the deck itself of Kiln Dried. Life of the two is about the same as long as you don't allow the kiln dried to come within about a foot of the ground.

On to your problem. Which end is the problem on? Pool or non-pool? The best thing I can think of is to re-butt them to the pool and then do something at the opposite end for athestics (sp?).

Post a pic so we can get a better idea of everything involved.

[Pitman]

I built a deck out of PT three years ago. Where the boards butted up against the house, I made trim out of pt 2 x 4. Ripped 1/4" thick strips on the table saw, used poly glue and brad nails. Covered up the gaps and gave it a more finished look. If you do something like this, let the pt dry for a few weeks before ripping, or as suggested, use kiln dried and stain it.
Of course, if the boards follow a smooth arc around the pool, this will not work, but if it is a hexagonal shape you can miter cut your way around with the trim

good luck

[messmaker]

See, this is why I always build my frames from Pressure Treated and the deck itself of Kiln Dried. Life of the two is about the same as long as you don't allow the kiln dried to come within about a foot of the ground.

On to your problem. Which end is the problem on? Pool or non-pool? The best thing I can think of is to re-butt them to the pool and then do something at the opposite end for athestics (sp?).

Post a pic so we can get a better idea of everything involved.

My problem is the joints are right in the middle of the deck . It is a 2 story deck and I have about a half dozen gaps near the top and bottom of the steps. The deck is about 20' wide so a 14' board put the break just off center.

[scmhogg]

Mess,

Is there a joist under the gap? If there is, use a circular saw to make the gap an uniform size. Say 1 1/2". Then cut a strip off a redwood 2X4 that will fill the gap. Then call it an accent. You can even use a fancier wood and call it art.

If no joist, attach a 1X4 or 1X6 underneath the gap and fill as above.

Do the surgery at the time the wood is at its largest.

When you make as many mistakes as I have, you know a lot of patches.

Steve

[Russianwolf]

what steve said.

if you have a single joist under it and don't feel comfortable with the decking having such small surface contact with it, then rip a 2x4 in half and sister it to the joist (half on each side), then do the fill.