Building ground level deck... Concerns: short lifetime expected due to lack of space for proper air circulation under deck, plus high moisture levels from both sky and ground (i.e. rainy Vancouver weather and high water-table clay soil, respectively). I've put much thought and research into how to best counter this... Now I've finally arrived at my final choices of strategy/design/materials, as follows: Ipe for the decking material, drain rock down to a depth of 9" to 12" below grade (in conjunction with pre-existing landscape drainage), thorough sealing of PT frame joists and beams with double wet coat oil based paint/sealer.
Now, here's my question: How can I _keep_ the frame (i.e. joists) sealed against moisture in spite of the fact that the screws (for fastening the decking) will be piercing whatever sealer/paint I've put there?
I've read that dipping the deck screws in hot paraffin wax prior to use will cause the screws to form a water-tight seal (as well as, primarily of course, facilitate the screw's entry into the wood). But I'm having difficulty visualizing how this would actually be accomplished ... Unless there is maybe some kind of simple and portable hot-wax-applicator-gun or similar device available that I am just not aware of (...?).
Ken