This freestanding deck surface was 40 feet by nearly 12 feet ... I covered the tops of the beams and joists with joist tape ...

CAMO manufactures a product that is designed for this type of situation. The CAMO Joist + Ledger Deck Tape is a self-adhesive ...

Out back, the old patio deck has been ... the location of the joist beneath; you can nail anywhere along it. If you’ve got a lot of creaky boards, use some painter’s tape or sticky notes ...