Leaving Gaps Between Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Boards

Our deck was recently constructed with regular pressure treated wood that is still wet. The builder did not leave gaps in the wood and we now find ourselves with water pooling on the deck after it rains. Should we expect this to resolve with time or is this an indication that the builder did not take the proper pitch into account when constructing the deck?

Decks should be level unlike a concrete patio for example . Concrete patios need pitch to let the water drain . Decks need proper spacing at about 1/8 ” for water drainage . As your ACQ ( pressure treated ) lumber starts to dry it will shrink and the pooling of water that you’re experiencing will drain through the spaces that will form over time . If the wood was dry during installation however , the builder made an error when butting them tightly . I would contact the builder , but chances are that the wood was wet during time of installation so your deck will probably be fine over time .

Have a wooden deck. (20+years old}. To utilize the space below, had a shed build for outdoor equipment etc. Have continual problems with water draining into the shed. Not a super big problem but irritating. I’ve caulked the shed roof multiple times and other “resolution.” Should add that I have a canvas roof placed above the deck from spring through Sept/Oct. (No problems with water getting into the shed then). The late fall/winter months are a problem. Wondering if there is a product to place between the deck boards to close these gaps? Also wondering about products to place on top of the deck boards that are waterproof for the shed below.

We have wood deck off the ground made mistake in painting it and don’t want to strip or sand it. Can you put marine board over top of original

I installed my pressure treated boards slightly touching. When it’s dry there’re about perfect width cracks between them but after a rain they swell until they are water tight for several days. In the winter they stay closed up about all the time. Any ideas?

Does not matter if the wood is wet, you should always leave a 1/8th inch gap between boards.

Yeah, that’s bollocks. When it rains, you want a gap. When it rains, the deck boards swell. If you’ve butted them up, there will be no gap when it rains. When it rains, the boards will not drain. In the winter, they will be tight and touch and rot.

Our deck contractor placed the pressure treated deck boards too close and now we have issues with debris accumulating in the gaps which restricts water drainage. Is there a tool we could use to make the gap between the boards wider?

i’ve built several decks. i’m in houston – so you know the texas weather is very hot. all of my deck boards were pretty much damp when i got them. i butted them up together and a week later – 1/4″ gap happened naturally, so i have the complete opposite situation. and hey don’t swell in the rain- they simply drain. i’ve had several homes in houston and done this quite a few times w/ exactly the same results. just thought i would share

If the boards where wet when they where installed. The builder did the correct installation. Nothing that is outside is maintenance free. Buy a leave blower or cut down the trees.

We put new pressure treat it deck boards down 2 years ago didn’t put gaps in like you guys said now some of the broad were they but up have rot and mold so that should we do to Resolve this issue..