Ipe checks...it's actually real wood, and as such, it will do what wood does when you take it out of a dark warehouse, and lay it in the sun/rain/snow. sounds like you have severe checking, which is unusal. Not much you can do...it won't uncheck. Maybe it was that anchorseal that you applied. I never use that stuff.

steve

I have been doing some research lately since I am too thinking of installing an Ipe deck. Now I am no decking expert but I do some woodworking on the side as a hobby. That being said, here are my two thoughts. One, you mentioned that you did everything Ipe Depot instructed, but you failed to use the messmers. Well it is on their website, as I checked, so it might be possible that could cause an issue. The other thought I had, which I personally feel has more to do with it is this. You are suppose to let the wood aclimate to the climate, well it cannot do that if you stored it in a garage. Most garages are damp, and at the very least, they do not have the same characteristics as letting the wood aclimate outside, where it is to be used.

What is surface checking? I've pored through this forum for months before I started/completed my IPE deck in November 2006 and not once did I recall a post regarding surface checking and IPE?

I purchased my materials from ipe depot too and left it outside for about 1 month before contractors could start the project. The deck is OK now, I just have to RAD and stain/seal it next month.

Had to wait out the winter season...

-Alex

Peter,

Messmers isn't some magic elixir. Some pieces of Ipe will check no matter what you do, and other pieces will never check. There are so many factors involved in tree growth that will have an effect on the milled boards...and they are beyond our control. Add to that the fact that all Ipe doesn't come from the same species of tabebuia. You'll see blond Ipe (more prone to splits) and you'll see black Ipe...and all shades of brown. After you've lifted as many ipe boards as I have, you can almost tell the color by the weight...the lighter the color, the lighter the board.

but I digress. we were discussing checking, which are fine splits at the end of the board. they happen.

steve
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Ipe checks more than other woods due to the high moisture content. There’s not much you can do to prevent it. But, it doesn’t harm anything and won’t degrade the quality of the wood. To minimize checking as much as possible, it should be laid out in the sun sitting on top of something so the top and bottom can air out. Needs to acclimate for about 2 weeks. If the checking has caused the wood to have sharp spots, you can use 80 grit sandpaper to smooth it out.