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Understanding Fastener Compatibility with Pressure-Treated Wood

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Have you ran into this? We see this a lot on decks 🤦 #carpentry #decks #framing

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What happens here

The video starts with a person addressing the issue of improper fastener usage in pressure-treated wood. He displays a strip of collated nails and explains that many people fail to use galvanized nails or ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) compatible screws when attaching pressure-treated wood. He clarifies that older pressure-treated wood (CCA - Chromated Copper Arsenate) and newer ACQ-treated wood are significantly different. The ACQ treatment is more corrosive to incompatible metals than the old CCA treatment. He warns that using the wrong fasteners can lead to corrosion issues and structural failures within months or years. The speaker advises anyone who has previously used non-compatible fasteners with modern pressure-treated wood to reconsider their methods.

Goal: Understand the difference between CCA and ACQ treated wood and select appropriate fasteners.

Tools and materials

  • ACQ Compatible Screws — Recommended fastener type for ACQ pressure-treated wood
  • Collated Nails — Illustrating common fasteners, though specific type (galvanized, ACQ compatible) is critical
  • Galvanized Nails — Recommended fastener type for ACQ pressure-treated wood
  • Pressure-Treated Wood — The material requiring specific fasteners for attachment

What they say

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Something we run into a lot of these people not using galvanized nails, alkaline copper quaternary screws, or ACQ screws for attaching any type of pressure treated wood. A tip for you old-timers, the CCA and the ACQ are 100% different. The ACQ is more corrosive than the old stuff. So, some of these old-timers that are like, "I used nails and I had no problems." Well, it's not the same anymore. These issues can arise within years, months in some cases, I'm sure. So, if it's something you did before, maybe you need to think about what you're doing now.

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