Build Advice
BUILD ADVICE RESPONSE — Example BA-000029
- Case reference:
- Example BA-000029
- Customer:
- John Doe
- Property:
- 123 Example Street, Example Suburb, Auckland, Auckland 1010
- Service:
- Building Problem Advice
- Issue:
- You have enquired about paint and putty popping over nail fixings and gaps appearing between decking boards that were installed last December.
- Date issued:
- Demonstration example
Your Question / Issue
You have enquired about paint and putty popping over nail fixings and gaps appearing between decking boards that were installed last December.
Information Reviewed
- Customer submitted information
- Submitted photographs (1)
- Additional information supplied after submission
- Customer response to our request for more information
Build Advice — what we found and what it means
Based on the information supplied, the decking appears to have been installed during the peak of summer. Over the warm period, the timber dried out, resulting in shrinkage that created consistent gaps between the boards and caused the putty over the nail heads to pop. While timber often expands back toward its original dimensions during cold, wet winter conditions through seasonal movement, the lack of change indicates that the timber has now settled into its natural, stabilised state. Because the boards have shrunk in thickness and profile, the nail heads now sit proud, which pushed the filler out. Remediation will require resetting the fixings and re-establishing the surface coatings.
Recommended Next Steps
- Sand back the decking boards and the popped putty around the nail heads.
- Punch the nails deeper into the timber to accommodate the shrunken board thickness.
- Re-putty all punched nail holes flush with the timber surface.
- Spot prime and spot paint the newly puttied and exposed areas.
- Apply a full topcoat of exterior paint over the entire deck surface.
Important Considerations
- Consider recoating the deck in a lighter colour, as lighter finishes reflect more solar heat and prevent the timber from getting excessively hot under direct sun.
- Ensure the nails are punched adequately below the surface before re-puttying to prevent future movement from cracking the new paint finish.
Scope of this advice
This advice is based on the information and images supplied by the customer. It is not a definitive diagnosis, and a physical inspection or testing may be required to confirm the cause and the appropriate remedy.