Re: Ipe deck tear off and reinstall

Looking for some input with this project.
My farther in law is installing a four season room and in the process is having his contractor remove about 900 sq ft of ipe deck board that was installed about 2 years ago. He is going to be giving me the ipe wood to resurface my pressure treated deck (approx 800 sq ft). I consider myself very handy and am going to be reinstalling ipe myself. After spending some time online I think I will be going w/ the Ipe Clip system and sealing the ends that I have to cut w/ anchor sealer. Some of the questions I have now well planing this are:
1) I have about 6 inches of ground clearance (soil) on my deck...will this create an issue w/ the Ipe?
2) I want to do this on the cheap...can the contractor removing the ipe save the clips for me to reuse?
3) We have a simple bench on our current deck layout that I want to redo w/ the Ipe....can the Ipe be used for a structural member for the bench?

I know that I will have level the deck some due to some setting since the people that built it did a poor job...not sure what shape the framing is in until I open it up.

Again I want to do this on the cheap but do it correctly so please share any tips or recommendations.
Thanks in advance!

Paul

You should be fine with what you are doing. If you can, get some 6 mill plastic under the deck to help with moisture.
IPE is a strong wood, but I would keep the bench structure as a base, and do what you can to incorporate the IPE on the surface.
IPE will last a long time, but it will crack over time and weather.
Welcome.

I just finished fixing, sanding, and staining aprox 900sqft of deck that was a ''bit past due''. Fun stuff!!!