Installation Guide

Tools Needed
Electric Screw Gun, Bits & Tips - Used to drill pilot holes and for
installing the stainless steel screws. (A cordless screwgun with an
adjustable clutch is recommended so torque can be properly set
to avoid over-tightening of screws.) Use a 1/8" drill bit and a 3/8"
countersink bit or the 3-in-1 DeckWise
®
Drill & Drive™.
DeckWise
®
Joist Tape
TM
- Used to prevent joist wood rot as well as
seals around deck screws.
Caulk Gun & Exterior Construction Adhesive - Used as a leveling
agent for uneven joists.
wood Glue - Polyurethane based recommended.
Hammer - Used to tap plug into countersunk hole.
ush cut pull saw, belt sander or an orbital sander
- A round, random orbit sander with 80-120 grit sand paper works best.
Biscuit Jointer* (Common cabinet maker tool, available at most
hardware stores & home centers) - Used to make a slot in the edge of
the deck boards to allow insertion of the Ipe Clip
®
fasteners.
Router*
Can be used if you do not have access to a biscuit jointer, a
#20 biscuit cutting router bit (also called a 5/32" slot cutting bit) will
work fine. This method is actually preferred by some installers.
*Not required for use with pre-grooved decking.
Ipe Clip
®
products are protected under one or more of the following patents; D485,160; 8,464,488; Other Patents Pending, and/or D470,039 product is licensed under U.S. Patent No. 6,402,415
Ipe Clip
®
Installation instructions
DeckWise® • The Ipe Clip® Fastener Company, LLC • 2111 58th Ave. E, Bradenton, FL 34203
Phone: [phone] • Email: [e-mail] • Web: www.DeckWise.com
STEP 1: Installing the First Deck Board
Apply DeckWise
®
Joist Tape
TM
or a bead of exterior adhesive
to each joist approximately 3/8" in width. For adhesives, you
may want to do this as you go so, that, it does not dry before
completion if you have a larger area to install. While adhesive
adds hold-down strength to the boards, it does not prevent
wood rot. Joist Tape
TM
prevents joist wood rot as well as seals
around deck screws. Even though joists may seem even,
changes in weather can cause board movement.
Both Joist Tape
TM
and/or adhesive will also help prevent
squeaking from uneven joists in the future.
STEP 2: Drill a 1/8" Pilot Hole
Use a 1/8" drill bit to pre-drill a pilot hole for the initial face-
driven screws. Drill deep enough to penetrate the deck board
and NOT the underlying joist material. (All Ipe Clip
®
Hidden
Deck Fastener systems, 175 count and above, include a 1/8"
High Speed Drill Bit. We suggest using the 3-in-1 DeckWise
®
Drill & Drive™ (not included in Ipe Clip
®
Fastener kits), which
has a 1/8" drill bit, 3/8" countersink bit, and screw gun T15 tip
that will help speed up this process.)
STEP 3: Drill a 3/8" Countersink Hole
Approximately 3/8" Deep
Use a 3/8" countersink bit to bore a hole approximately 1/4"
to 3/8" deep (depending on your deck board thickness) for
each screw to be hidden by a hardwood plug. Be sure your
countersink bit is sharp and leaves a clean edge.
STEP 4: Drive a Deck Screw Through the
Countersunk Hole
Next, securely drive a deck screw down into the countersunk
hole into the joist below. (All Ipe Clip
®
fastener kits, 175 count
and above, have extra stainless steel deck screws included in
them for starter boards.) Wood plugs will next be installed into
the holes to hide the deck screws and create a smooth, blemish
free surface.
STEP 5: Put a Drop of Glue Into the
Countersunk Hole
(Polyurethane based recommended)
Place a dab of wood glue (Gorilla Glue
®
is suggested) into the
countersink hole from the above steps. This will secure the
wood plug from popping up in the future. Plus, it will act as a
moisture barrier, sealing the countersunk hole and screw.
STEP 6: Insert a Wood Plug Into
Countersunk Hole
Insert a 3/8" tapered (or Extreme ribbed) wood plug and tap it
down with a hammer so it ts snug into the hole. Wipe away
any excess glue that may squeeze out.
NOTE: We always encourage nding the wood grain in the
plug and aligning it with the deck board grain. This will help
ensure the plug is hidden as much as possible.
STEP 7: Flush Cut Any Plug Material
Once the plug is hammered in and the glue is dry, remove any
excess plug material protruding above the surface of the deck
board. You can accomplish this by using a ush cut pull saw,
belt sander or an orbital sander with 80 grit sand paper.
STEP 8: Sand for Hardwood Oil Finish
Sand smooth all areas where a plug was installed so that plug
is ush with deck surface. A round, random orbit sander with
80-120 grit sand paper works best. When sanding is nished,
we suggest using Ipe Oil
TM
for a beautiful natural wood color
on your entire deck.
STEP 9: Cut Slots for Ipe Clip® Fasteners
Use a biscuit jointer or a router (with a 5/32" X 1/2" slot cuing
bit) to cut a slot in the edge of deck board above each joist.
You will want to center this groove in the board so there is a
symmetrical prole for best results using the Ipe Clip
®
Hidden
Deck Fasteners by DeckWise
®
.
NOTE: Pre-grooved deck boards are now available from many
decking suppliers. If you are using pre-grooved decking, skip
this step and proceed to step 10.
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All DeckWise
®
Hidden Deck
Fasteners are proudly engineered
and manufactured in our US facility.
Made in the USA
™