Pine decks (which makes up the vast majority of decks in Atlanta, GA) are considered a softwood. Wood expands and contracts with moisture fluctuations . For this reason wood will eventually split and spinter. Unfortunately even if we thoroughly sand your deck and rectify all visible spintering – spintering will return with time. This is something that can be helped by using a solid stain (we recommend using oil based, not water based) The solid stain will ‘tie down all wood’ and will lessen chances of splinters occurring.