The Importance of Acclimation
One of the most important first steps to any North Carolina deck building project is acclimation. This is the process of letting the wood get used to your local air moisture content.
Wood naturally absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause it to expand. Alternatively, in dry climates, the wood can release moisture, causing it to shrink. Failing to take this into account will casue your finished deck to warp and crack.
To prevent these problems, let your new deck boards sit for several weeks (2-5) in an area similar to the installation site. Do not cover the lumber with a tarp or store it indoors (you would not do that to a finished deck, so don't do it to the deck boards).