The Ipe Clip® Fastener Company has dedicated a lot of time in the training of all sales team members, dealers, and distributors. We do this to ensure that the right questions are asked so that the right product is chosen for each and every project.

Air-dried decking – Ipe Clip® Extreme™ fasteners which spaces boards at 3/32” should be used. Air-dried decking has a high moisture content which causes the wood to shrink as it acclimates. In other words, the gap between your boards will get larger so you want to use a deck fastener that starts with a small gap space. Ipe Clip®Extreme4™ can also be used. This leaves a 5/32” gap space. It’s a little larger but still does the job for those that want or need a slightly larger gap space.

Kiln-dried decking – Ipe Clip® ExtremeKD™ fasteners which offer a ¼” gap space should be used. Kiln-dried decking has a lower moisture content which results in the boards expanding as they acclimate. As you probably guessed, this means your gap spacing will come together so you will want to use a deck fastener that leaves a larger gap space during installation. Ipe Clip® Extreme4™ can also be used. This leaves a 5/32” gap space. It’s a little smaller but still does the job for those that want or need a smaller gap space.

Composite decking – Always check with and follow the manufacturer’s recommended gap spacing. Each is different and can vary from 3/32” gap spacing to 1/4″ gap spacing.

PVC Decking – Like composite decking, check with and follow the manufacturer’s recommended gap spacing. PVC decking is a little different in that the gap spacing for one part of the country may be different for another part of the county as PVC is more controlled by temperature.

Know what type of decking you have, know what the manufacturer’s recommended gap spacing is, and let us help you choose the Ipe Clip® brand fastener that’s right for you!

Lumber Ends without Ipe Seal

I received a call just last week from a homeowner asking if end sealing his deck boards was necessary.

He stated that the company in which he purchased his decking materials said that it was an “un-necessary step” but his builder told him that it indeed was necessary. He was looking to Ipe Clip® for guidance.

Although there seems to be a debate whether end sealing is necessary, it’s a no-brainer for us. End sealing is vital to the stability and longevity of your deck. Why, you ask? Dry wood will most definitely absorb moisture. It’s designed naturally to do this. When you cut your deck boards and leave the end cuts untreated, it leaves them vulnerable. Remember, it’s the moisture content in your deck boards that affect the amount of expansion and contraction that you are likely to see. The untreated exposed end grain is where water enters a piece of wood most readily. The unrestricted water will give an uneven moisture distribution, which ultimately causes cupping and severe end checking. Let’s face it; we all know what a nightmare that can be, so why not prevent it?

Lumber Ends treated with Ipe Seal

•    Use Ipe Seal™, a wax based end seal product immediately after cutting your deck boards to length

•    Apply Ipe Seal™ with a brush, or better yet, a small rag dipped in Ipe Seal

•    Use caution not to get Ipe Seal™ on the surface of your deck boards as it will stain

•    Note that Ipe Seal™ is not needed on straight grain cuts; only on the end cuts

Save on costly maintenance and repairs and prevent checking, splitting, and cupping issues from the get-go by treating each end cut with Ipe Clip®’s Ipe Seal™. Build it right the first time.

Although hardwood decking tops the list as the most used decking material, recently there has been a burst of interest shown in PVC decking. Although we, at Ipe Clip®, still prefer a beautiful hardwood Ipe deck, the interest shown in PVC decking is certainly cause for review.
PVC decking is installed quite similar to hardwood decking. You want to start with a ground clearance of at least 12” to allow for adequate air flow. We recommend that joist spacing not exceed 16” on center when perpendicular to joists and no more than 12” when deck boards are positioned at a 45 degree angle.

There are major differences between hardwood deck boards and PVC deck boards:

1.     The movement each makes over time is different. While hardwood decking will naturally move on its width, PVC decking will naturally move on its length.

2.    Hardwood deck board’s movement is primarily dependent upon moisture content while PVC deck boards are primarily dependent upon temperature changes.

3.    Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners are installed with the screw at a 45 degree angle, through half of the deck board, and then down into the joist. PVC decking will be installed using the very same Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners except the screw will be driven straight down through the fastener and into the joist allowing for the natural movement on its length.

Don’t be intimidated by all the choices that are now available for your decking needs. PVC decking can be installed just as easily as hardwood decking. There are no additional tools or equipment required. Ipe Clip® makes a hidden deck fastener for each decking project no matter the type of decking. Just give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you choose the right products for your decking needs.

“It looked good for about a month, but now it’s back again”.

What the homeowner didn’t realize is that mold isn’t just a surface problem. It can seep deep into every kind of decking material; therefore you can’t just scrape it off. You literally are just scratching the surface as they say. The mold spores are still left behind inside the deck board. If left untreated, the mold will spread wider and deeper and can eventually rot your deck, so immediate action should be taken at the first sign of mold. You have to actually kill the mold so that it doesn’t re-grow. The first thing to look at is where the mold is growing.

If growing on the top of your deck, the mold can be treated in different ways:

• Use a bleach based cleaner to kill the mold. Keep in mind that bleach can lighten and dry out your deck boards.
• Use a sodium percarbonate based product. This will penetrate your deck boards, killing the mold spores and is less harsh than the bleach based cleaners.

• Use a steam powered sprayer. Mold cannot live in temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, once your deck has been thoroughly cleaned and free from mold, seal your hardwood deck with an oil-based wood sealer such as Ipe Oil™ Hardwood Deck Finish. This will help to repel moisture, which is one cause of mold.
If growing below your deck, you have way too much moisture under there. Was your deck built too close to the ground not leaving enough room for proper ventilation? Do you have standing water under your deck?

• Make certain that you have proper drainage under your deck. You may be required to landscape or re-grade that area.

• Remove any bark mulch or wet leaves under and around your deck as this is a breeding ground for mold.

Below are just a few steps that you can take to aid in the prevention of future outbreaks of mold.

• Make certain that your deck has adequate gap spacing between your deck boards.
• Your deck should be pitched away from any structure to allow for proper drainage of water.
• Sweep any debris, including leaves and pollen, from your deck at least once weekly.Treat your deck with Ipe Oil™ at least every five years. More often may be needed depending on your climate.

How do you prevent those deck problems from occurring?

Adequate ventilation is essential for the long term stability of your deck. Below you will find steps that you can take before and during installation that will help to eliminate the above mentioned problems.

• Ensure your deck is not built above moist, leafy ground. If so, use high quality landscape fabric covered with gravel or stone under the deck.
• Avoid bark mulch under or around your deck as this is full of mildew spores.
• Utilize Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fasteners and follow recommended gap spacing.
• Coat your decking surface using Ipe Oil™ Hardwood Deck Finish
• Make sure all end grains are coated with Ipe Seal™ Hardwood End Grain Sealer.
• Construct your deck at a pitch to allow for proper drainage.
• Build your deck with a minimum of 12” ground clearance.If this is not possible, reduce your joist spacing to 12” and coat all four sides of your deck boards with Ipe Oil™.

By following these simple guidelines, your deck will stay healthy and mildew-free for years to come.

Has the summer taken a toll on your hardwood deck? Or, has your five year old just had a ketchup and mustard party on a hot summer day?

Ipe Clip® carries just the right deck finishing & cleaning products to get your deck clean and looking new. Messmer’s Deck Cleaner and Messmer’s Brightener is just what your deck needs. Both are biodegradable and environmentally safe powder concentrates. If you are also thinking about staining or oiling your deck, these products are a must.

In order for your deck to take a good stain or oil, it first must be thoroughly cleaned. It takes little time and is surprisingly easy and cost effective. See the steps below to see just how east cleaning your deck can be.

1.    Sweep all dirt and debris from deck
2.    Mix cleaner with water in a bucket or pail
3.    Completely saturate deck with plain water using a garden hose
4.    Apply cleaner using a mop or pump sprayer to deck and wait 10 minutes
5.    Using a scrub brush, scrub each section of deck to loosen dirt and grime
6.    Spray and rinse your deck clean using a garden hose

It really is that simple and easy. We recommend that your deck periodically be cleaned to help extend the life of your deck.

Prevention is the most infallible defense against deck rot. The best measure is to build your deck out of rot-resistant lumber. Exotic hardwoods such as ipe or cumaru possess impressive decay-thwarting properties that will ensure a long deck life with minimal hassle.

If you’ve already built your deck without the benefit of these resilient woods, that’s OK. It simply becomes even more important that you regularly inspect your deck for signs of rot. Most rot manifests itself in hard to see areas (underneath the boards, where the deck meets the house, etc.), or areas that remain damp for any length of time. If the rot is extensive, it is time to replace the deck boards.

Standing water is a perfect breeding ground for the microbes that cause decay. Therefore, it is imperative in your battle against rot to deny them the moist environment they crave. Debris can capture moisture, so keep your deck surface free of leaves and dirt, clean out the spaces between boards, and make sure gutter spouts are directed away from the deck.

Another area you may not have considered is where the nails or screws have been driven through the board faces. Water can actually find its way into those holes and breed unsightly rot. An excellent solution to this problem is to use Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners which will keep your deck face free of holes for moisture to hide in.

Finally, to keep moisture from soaking into the wood itself, seal it with an oil or water based finish. We highly recommend Ipe Oil™ Hardwood Deck Finish to protect your backyard retreat.

Take good care of your deck, and it will remain beautiful and strong for you to enjoy in the years to come.

This summer has been hot….very, very hot. The heat has proven why installing deck fasteners is a smart and economical choice.

As you might imagine, the heat has taken its toll on a number of decks across the country. I’ve been reading on many home improvement forums about homeowners worried about their decking structural integrity. During a summer like this, decking can really take a pounding from intense heat and humidity. The worst complaints are coming from people who drove screws straight through their decking. They thought they were saving money, but in intense weather like this, cracks, splits, and warping can really be a problem.

The answer? For these deck owners, the best thing is to wait until the weather gets a little more normal, then get the deck inspected. If some boards need to be replaced, they can be done so without having to worry.

Not surprising, I haven’t been reading about these complaints with anyone who installed their decking with deck fasteners made by Ipe Clip®. Not to toot our own horn, but it makes sense. If you own or are building a deck with Ipe Clip® brand hidden deck fasteners, your hardwood or composite decking gets the best chance of acclimating to any weather condition better than if you had driven screws through the boards. This is because using a hidden fastener such as Ipe Clip® allows for the natural movement of the boards through the changes in the seasons and weather.

Pay close attention to how the decking reacts in the heat when you have deck fasteners installed.

Find your local Ipe Clip® deck fastener dealer and give your deck a long, healthy life.

Since decking contracts and expands, it’s recommended that you take a close look at your deck’s surface at least two times a year.

If you notice any screws that appear to be loose or starting to pop up, you can:

1. Drive the screw further into the joist with a 3/8’ countersink bit
2. Remove/sand down any material that protrudes from the surface
3. Cap it with a wood plug
4. Seal it with Gorilla Glue or any other outdoor wood glue

Doing this will help prevent the screw from popping up in the future and aid in keeping the board attached to the joist.

Are you going to install a new deck and wondering what your fastener options are?

You can prevent the above deck maintenance issues from ever occurring if you install deck fasteners.

Benefits of using deck fasteners to install decking include:

• A flawless deck surface
• Keep bare feet of guests & children safe
• Decreased chance of splits, cracks & splinters
• Greater structural integrity
• No nail or screw pops
• No unsightly screw holes or stain marks
• Automatic gap spacing

Locate your local Ipe Clip® deck fastener dealer today to get started on building your outdoor deck.