Did a search on the Simpson Zmax and ACQ corrosion issues and found little info. You guys seeing any problems with this combo? House is a block from the ocean, saw a deck built 2 years ago that was same distance and nails, hangers, post bases all looked new.
Thanks
Kevin
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Replies
Do I use Simpson Zmax rated? Yes.
Do I trust it implicitly? No!
I'm building a deck for my house, (this time), and I'm following my normal practices. In this case, I'm attaching to the house but.....
1. I'm adding a ledge board I can rest my joists on - and nailing with ACQ rated nails.
2. The ledge is being flashed with York copper faced flex self-adhesive.
3. All joist hangers are Zmax, with a sheath of plastic so the joists and hangers never touch.
3. The nails are Simpson hanger nails ACQ rated.
4. To keep thing dry, I'm using Grace Vycor over the joist tops all the way to the back end of the joists.
Trust, but verify.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
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like yur method...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Have you done this on other decks and seen good results? Wouldn't the nails pierce the plastic and allow a path for the chemicals? And what about the nails themselves, don't they corrode with direct contact?
It's the best option.
Stainless doesn't have the shear strength, so #10 joist hanger nails seem the best option.
Yes, it penetrates the plastic, but remember, I'm covering the joist @ that point with Vycor to eliminate moisture as much as possible.
Look, nobody could be completely safe ..... otherwise, teenagers would never have babies.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
I'm guessing the Vycor self seals and moisture has to enter nail hole to start chemical leaching which leads to corrosion. Have you tried joist jackets advertised in the magazine?
Most of my work is in an ocean environment and I would never use Zmax or galvanized metal with ACQ. As a matter of fact stainless steel is all I use since I see so much rusted and corroded galvanized.
I'm sure stainless is best, but the deck I looked at had zmax with no corrosion. I'm getting prices of 180.00 for 4x4 post base in SS, 220.00 for 6x6. Simpson CB44 and CB66. You have a source for less expensive SS?ThanksKevin
Wow! I get my stainless products from a local supplier but I've never paid anything close to that. I haven't bought a post base in awhile but seems like it was about $40.00 or $50.00 for the last one I bought. I've also had some intricate custom stainless brackets made in 1/4" stainless by a local welding shop for less than $100.00 each.
Wow, those prices seen high. This place has 4x4 post brackets for $56 if you buy a case of ten.http://www.manasquanfasteners.com/framing_basesI just finished a backyard project with ACQ and the SST hardware & fasteners cost me about $500. That's 2X-3X the cost of Zmax, but I sleep well at night.
I saw that site, and they did have better prices. Not comparing apples to apples though. I believe the post base is ABU44, the post base for a 4x4 at$180.00 was CB44. Both made by Simpson. I think the thing to do is see the net difference and see if it's worth it. After all, the Zmax isn't free and would turn out to be more expensive if you end up doing it all over again in time.
When using ACQ I use Zmax hangers. Of course, I don't have to deal with ocean environments.