Any exposed wood, pressure treated or not, should be protected with a high quality water repellent finish or stain with water repellent to help reduce warping, checking, and splitting. If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product. Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before finishing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding.

As a general rule, attach boards bark side up (annual rings arc upward) to reduce cupping; however, the best face should be placed up when a defect of the wood is apparent. Fasten thin boards to thicker boards to maintain structural integrity.

Drill pilot holes, especially when nailing or screwing near the edge or end of a board. Pilot holes will help minimize splitting.

During construction, should the wood become wet, butt deck boards together. As drying occurs, some shrinkage can be expected. If the wood is dry, allowing for shrinkage is not necessary.

• MicroPro/Smart Sense pressure treated wood has corrosion rates on metal products similar to CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) pressure treated wood and untreated wood. Use fasteners and hardware that are in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the building codes for their intended use. When using aluminum products in conjunction with MicroPro/Smart Sense treated wood, refer to the MicroPro/Smart Sense Fastener and Hardware Information Sheet for additional information.
• Do not burn preserved wood.
• Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting or sanding wood.
• Wear gloves when working with wood.
• Some preservative may migrate from the treated wood into soil/water or may dislodge from the treated wood surface upon contact with skin. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly.
• All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of after construction.
• Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing before reuse.
• Preserved wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as fresh water docks and bridges.
• Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed, or beehives.
• Do not use preserved wood as mulch.
• Only preserved wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used.
• If the wood is to be used in an interior application and becomes wet during construction, it should be allowed to dry before being covered or enclosed.
• Disposal Recommendations: Preserved wood may be disposed of in landfills or burned in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product. Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before finishing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding.
• Projects should be designed and installed in accordance with federal, state, and local building codes and ordinances governing construction in your area and in accordance with the National Design Specifications (NDS) and the Wood Handbook.
• Mold growth can and does occur on the surface of many products, including untreated and treated wood, during prolonged surface exposure to excessive moisture conditions. To remove mold from the treated wood surface, wood should be allowed to dry. Typically, mild soap and water can be used to remove remaining surface mold. For more information visit www.epa.gov .