Just want to update everyone on the my experience with East Teak and their Ipe. George sent me 6 more 4' posts to replace these I consider not usable. No problem. After helf way through the install, I found out I was actually missing 2 pieces. I only got 17 instead of 19. The bundle came loose during shipping, and I didn't count the exact number of the 4x4 right away. In any case, I called East Teak and talked to them again, I wasn't sure if they could do anything. Right away, they said they'll shipping me 2 more piece. How about that. So, I will say East Teak is someone I would recommend based on my own experience. Although i'm not sure if I would use 4x4 ipe post again if i have to start all over. I took 1 of these rejected 4x4 and cut it in half. The checking does go all the way through in some areas. If that's what I can expect for all my 4x4s sooner or later, I don't feel comfortable that it's not sturcturelly effected some how.

It's a scale, scrape it off. It should lift off easier on one side.I'm 99 percent sure. I've studied this pear in an IPM class. It's very dark so it may already be dead but you don't want to take the chance. It could have a colony of eggs underneath it. Here is a picture of scale though a much worse infestation it looks like you may just have a stray. Theyre are different types so they can look different. Google image "scale pest" and you can see more pictures of it. They will usually flake off pretty easily, though I've seen scale stuck on much harder. Sometimes there can be a scar where a scale had been which looks like a scale but yours looks like the actual pest itself.

Look under FAQs from Houzz https://support.houzz.com/hc/en-us/articles/228447628-Returns-Damage-and-Warranty-Policy

When I try to contact HOUZZ this message pops up..........Connection Failed The resource could not be loaded because the app transport security Policy requires the use of a secure connection. I don’t know how else to contact HOUZZ. Can you send phone number? Also I took this photo of the directions for assembly and that’s exactly how we followed them. There isn’t even a photo of the wrench so we did not assemble incorrectly. Can you now tell me how to disassemble so we can return the damaged order?