I have been in the framing and deck-building business for about 20 years. In that time I have torn off many old decks here in Utah, and the number one problem I see is rotting joists and ledgers. The rot almost always comes from the top, where the water penetrates through the fastener holes and rots out the framing from the top down. I believe that the longevity and durability of the joist needs to come from some sort of water diversion above. In my experience, the best product for this is G-tape acrylic flashing tape. The cost and ease of use is far superior to any other product that I've found for the job. I won't build a deck without it. G-tape comes in 2-in., 4-in., 6-in., 9-in., and 12-in. widths, making it perfect for everything from capping single deck joists to wrapping the tops of built-up beams. The tape easily tears by hand, its acrylic adhesive allows it to be repositioned after placing it down, and it stays workable over a wide temperature range, making it much more convenient to work with than many alternative types of flashing tape.
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