I’m with you on the leaf blower—just ends up swirling stuff around, especially if it’s a bit windy. I’ve found that the push broom and shop vac combo gets things cleaner, but I always wonder about moisture. Even after a good sweep and vacuum, sometimes the boards still feel a bit damp, especially in the shaded spots.
Do you guys wait for a certain number of dry days before laying underlayment, or is there a trick to making sure everything’s actually dry enough? I’m worried about trapping moisture under there and ending up with mold or warped boards down the line. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I’d rather be safe than sorry... Anyone else run into this?
I totally get the worry about moisture—trapping it under an underlayment is asking for trouble down the road. I usually go by touch and sight, but if I’m unsure, I’ll tape a piece of plastic down overnight and check for condensation in the morning. If there’s any, I wait another day or two. Shaded spots can be stubborn, especially after rain. Sometimes I’ll use a fan to speed things up, but honestly, patience is key. Better to wait than deal with warped boards or mold later.
I like your plastic test—simple but effective. I’ve run into issues where the deck *felt* dry but still had hidden dampness, especially in older homes with thicker boards. Ever try using a moisture meter? I find it helps catch those sneaky spots that look fine but aren’t quite ready. Curious if you’ve noticed any difference between plywood and OSB in terms of drying times or how they hold moisture? Sometimes OSB seems to hang onto it longer, at least in my experience.
I’ve used a moisture meter a couple times, but honestly I still rely on the “feel” test more than I probably should. OSB definitely seems to hold onto moisture longer, especially around the edges. Ever had issues with swelling or soft spots after drying? That’s tripped me up before, especially in humid weather.
Swelling’s been a headache for me, especially after a rainy spell. I’ve had spots that felt dry but turned mushy once I started laying underlayment. Now I always check the edges with a screwdriver—if it sinks in, I replace that section. OSB’s just tricky in damp weather, no way around it.