That old oak handrail finally gave out on me yesterday

I installed it on a porch in the North End about fifteen years ago, and I guess the constant moisture from the harbor air got to the joinery. I had to go back and replace the whole lower section with a new piece of ipe, using stainless steel fasteners this time. Has anyone else had a classic project fail after more than a decade, and what did you learn from it?

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pat7814mo ago

Went back to a house I built a deck for back in '08, maybe ten years ago now. The whole thing looked like it was brand new except for one corner post that was totally rotted out from the bottom. Turns out the guy had a downspout dumping right next to it for like five years and never said a word to me. I had to jack up half the deck and replace the post, which was a nightmare because everything else was still solid. That's when I started putting those little plastic drip edges on every post base I do, just in case. Water always finds a way, man, it's like it's got a personal grudge against wood.

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cameronp475mo ago

Yeah, that's just how it goes sometimes...

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the_tessa5mo ago

Used to fight that feeling too, but honestly @cameronp47, you learn to roll with it.

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reese_rodriguez865mo ago

Totally get that "how it goes" feeling. Reminds me of when my old car would just overheat in summer traffic. I'd be stuck there, knowing I just had to wait for it to cool down, no way around it. You just sit and accept the situation for what it is. Some things you can't force, you know?

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