Planning a beautiful new deck? Since most decks are built in close proximity to the earth, the framing material or "skeleton" is vulnerable to damage by pests and fungus. Therefore, it's a good idea to use material that has been pressure-treated with a pesticide to prevent such damage. While pressure-treated material can be cut, screwed and nailed like other types of lumber, there are some special precautions which should be taken when working with it. Wear gloves. The surface of pressure-treated material is rough and can cause nasty splinters. Because the material contains a pesticide, it's a good idea to wear a fabric breathing mask to avoid ingestion of the dust when sawing the material. Finally, all fresh cuts should be treated with an after-market pesticide containing wood preservative for added lasting quality. And that's the On The House tip for today.