Merbau Decking Questions.

Good Morning,

I finally got stuck in to my decking yesterday with a few mates. Twas a cracking day for it, I am building a deck that is about 18 metres in length and about 4 metres wide.

We have laid out all of the timber (Random lengths) to start measuring against the joists etc.
Q1. When fastening to the joists is there a recomended spacing between the timber ?? I was going to lay it hard up against the preceding peice, but if people use a piece of tin or something to give a 2mm space then I will be guided by that. I am just after what should be best.

The Merbau has not as yet had any oil applied to it, we had a lot of rain last night and I was able to put down some fairly large tarps but obviously this hasnt been able to cover the whole deck.
Q2. I know merbau bleeds a bit, but will a bit of water 'hurt' the timber ? If it does Is there anything I can do ?

Many thanks


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