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I’m building a ground level deck in San Diego and trying to source suitable framing lumber. I understand that ground contact rated pressure treated lumber is required, but I’m under the impression that green PT lumber warps over time. Some forums recommended KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) lumber, but I’ve tried 4 lumber yards in the area and they don’t sell KDAT.

Should I keep trying to find KDAT, and if so, can anyone recommend how? If not, what steps should I take to make sure my deck doesn’t warp or come apart if I use green PT wood?

isherwood
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dr-igor
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If you buy wet pressure treated wood, then you'll want to let it dry out for a couple of weeks before using it. Buy some 2x2s to lay on the ground as racks to elevate the pressure treated lumber off the ground. Arrange the lumber by standing it up on edge and leaving an inch or two of space between each piece so that air can circulate. Cover it with a tarp so that the sun can't evaporate the water out of one side much faster than the other, as that will result in warping. Leave the ends of the tarp open to air flow.

You can buy lumber moisture meters for under 20 USD on Amazon, where that might be worth the investment. Maybe the copper in the pressure treatment chemicals messes with the readings, though.

popham
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