Nails for deck

[dan76n]

Hi all,
A mate of mine has just finished the frame of his deck and I noticed he didnt use Gal nails to attatch the joists to the bearers. Most of the deck is under shelter so I would assume that will be fine but what about the bits open to rain? when I mentioned it to him he said he was going to spray the heads with a Killrust style paint.
Should I stop him before he puts the decking on or will it be ok???

[Dirty Doogie]

Yes - I would stop him immediately!!
The point where the nails rust is just inside the surface of the timber where Killrust wont reach.

It is also likely that extractives in the timber (if it is hardwood) will rust the nail, or if it is treated pine the chemical treatment will dissolve the nail.

DD

[dan76n]

Hmm, He has now laid the decking. Do I just leave him? ( I cant see him ripping it up). I was thinking of maybe suggesting he puts a few nails (gal of course) in from underneath, bearer to joist. Would this be worth the effort? I could suggest I give him a hand?

[echnidna]

They'll last many years, don't worry about it.

[pharmaboy2]

no deck should depend on the nails to hold it together for the sub frame - once the decking is down, the joists will stay on the bearers courtesy of gravity and the fact they are all nailed together with 2 nails so wont fold. All posts attchments should have been with coach screws or bolts anyway. Bit like a house platform floor, you block the floor with trimmers that arent required once the floor is nailed, but they need to be there during construction or we all fall down!

anyone building a deck where nails are weight bearing (apart from joist hangers), shouldnt be allowed to build a cubby house, let alone a deck.