how to replace deck boards

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. How To Install Composite Decking Using Clips, 9 Ways to Protect Your Deck or Patio From Summer Heat, How to Apply Behr Quick Dry Oil Base Wood Finish, Trex Decking: Here’s What You Need to Know. Buy galvanized or stainless steel nails or screws long enough to penetrate the joists by at least 1-1/2 in. Deck Estimate. The average homeowner replacing some of the old boards, installing a new railing1, and staining both to ma… As far as CIRCULAR SAWS go, this Makita classic is all you really need! Screw the two outer stringers to the skirts, then align both stringer assemblies and toe-screw them to the deck landing. Apply in the solution with a scrub brush. Use a jigsaw and coarse wood-cutting blade to cut along... Seal Joist Rot. Ft.: 0 … and I wanted to repair the broken deck boards this year so that there would be no further damage. If you have deck boards that are soft or starting to warp or curl as a result of water damage or rot, then these are signs that the board is no longer structurally sound. “The only trick is remembering what goes on top of what.” Navigate to the first article: Restoring a Wood Deck. As soon as rotting is detected, you must replace those boards as they can compromise the structural integrity of your deck. This uniqueness often times tends to intimidate people from replacing damaged deck planks. The issue at hand is how to remove a damaged plank when deck screws are hidden inside the deck fixing. Jigsaw. Repairing the structural parts of a deck can be dangerous. When fastening deck boards to structure, remember that the structure will dry out and shrink in time. Use your speed square to draw a straight line through the point of the V. Now, line up your circular saw blade so that it will cut this line in half (or as close to it as possible). Cost To Replace Deck Boards Depending on the type of wood you have in your deck, the replacement of the boards will cost an average of: $750 for the wood. Step 5: Brace the boards at each end by installing 2X4 cleats along the inside faces of the joists at the sides of the hole. How-To Replace Hardwood Decking Boards Hidden deck fasteners are exactly that, hidden. If the existing decking is gray, "weather" the new decking with a solution made from 1 cup of baking soda and 1 gallon of warm water. Step 1: Out with the Old. Dewalt has the highest review ratings for their package: A “cat’s paw” NAIL PULLER makes pulling deck nails much easier: Appropriate deck material (discussed below). You probably don't have to rebuild the whole thing. Nails can slowly lose their grip in the joist below, especially as seasonal changes cause lumber to expand and contract. But because decks are also exposed to the elements all year, they often wear out long before the other living spaces of your house do, requiring repair. Replacing Damaged Deck Flooring. Test the fit of all new pieces by positioning them in the gaps where they go. Replacement Treated Decking Boards. This will be where the board will be cut. Publicity around deck collapses has prompted many municipalities to tighten up deck construction standards before permits are issued You may need to cut beyond the rot and remove intact wood to make the splices work. There are a number of ways that a deck can fail and require repair, from needing to replace a few boards to redecking and refinishing the entire structure. Put flashing over decaying joists. But because decks are also exposed to the elements all year, they often wear out long before the other living spaces of your house do, requiring repair. This is Part 3 of 9 in our Series on Restoring Wood Decks and Building New Wood Decks. We would like to put composite boards in place of the old boards, but we ONLY want to do the top layer…not all of the wood framings. If the top edge of a joist is soft and beginning to rot, place a flashing tin on top of it and bend the edges down. Pressure-treated pine has a sweet smell, cedar an aromatic smell, and redwood a more pungent smell. I use a nail puller, or “cat’s paw,” to do this. Cost To Replace Deck Boards. I'm a professional carpenter in Raleigh, North Carolina. Replacing a Few Boards. Unfortunately, I noticed that we had some pretty substantial cracks along a few of the deck boards, and even some rotted out areas too. This lumber is the same width as 5/4 deck boards, but it is 1-1/2″ thick. Subtract about 1/8″ from your measurement. The mark easily shows up against the deck surface. Cracks usually are more of an annoyance than a structural problem, but they tend to get worse over time. The grain won’t split open and collect water as readily. And, it’s long-lasting but not permanent. Over time, the deck boards may wear, turn gray, splinter or rot. “Redecking is basically a board-for-board replacement,” says Dennis. There are a number of ways that a deck can fail and require repair, from needing to replace a few boards to redecking and refinishing the entire structure. Because of this, Tom recommends using screws that are 2.5x longer than the material being fastened. Use a roofing nail to tack a red plastic flag–often supplied by the lumberyard–into the back end of the boards if they’re projecting more than two feet past your rear bumper. If I want to replace the wood boards on my deck, will there be a problem installing new ones because of the existing screw holes? (I have seen two-story decks that had different kinds of lumber for upper level and lower level.) Small bows and curves can be cranked out, but big swoops in short spans can’t be dealt with. You may want to hire a contractor to perform more advanced repairs. Wood substructures split, warp and shift, leading to an uneven surface in the deck boards above. The first step is to remove the old deck boards so that you can inspect the underlying joists, beams and posts, and then make any necessary repairs or replacements prior to attaching the new decking. To cut out a damaged section, back-out fasteners from deck boards above it, remove and replace it with similar dimensional wood. New boards will most likely sit down as they too slowly dry out. Decks enhance your outdoor living space and increase the usable square footage of your home. Pay extra attention to the ledger, joists, posts and beams. The only part that is wood is the 16 foot deck portion. Replacing the decking for a 10 x 12-foot deck starts at $2,400 for treated lumber, $3,600 for cedar, $3,900 for composite materials, and $6,000 for redwood. Instructions Plan the Cut. If the deck planks were screwed down, you'll just need to remove the screws to pull up damaged deck boards—but if they were nailed down, you'll need to use a circular saw to cut the decking between each joist and pry the short pieces up with a claw hammer or pry bar. Diagonal Decking. Average Deck Repair Costs. Marking your load this way is required by law for the safety of drivers approaching you from behind.). Pull the nails that hold the board in the middle. When you know your lumber variety, walk around and pull rough measurements of the boards you’d like the replace. Tools to Replace Decking Boards. I would be tearing off old boards and replacing with new ones. (I’ve included a short video tutorial as well. Rinse and let dry. Good Better Best Decking Sq. Made with Love by Oak City Tech. In other cases, wood deck boards can dry, splinter, and crack without regular extensive maintenance. If too much of the joist is rotted, you must replace the whole board. Prepare Replacement Deck Board Use a tape measure to find the specific length of your opening and mark the deck plank to size. When you have removed the nails from about 2/3 of the board length, you can gently pry up the free end and use the length of the board for leverage to crank out the last few nails. Just position the prongs of the cat’s paw near a nail head (about 1/8″ away), and tap the strike point on the opposite side of the tool with a hammer. Has your deck seen better days? You want boards that are long and straight for the most part. Be sure to look at the edges of your deck boards to determine their thickness. Is protected from the sun by the DIY experts of the cutout nailing cleats to the joists both! Joists at both ends with a jigsaw and coarse wood-cutting blade to cut a board, ’. Long, it can help to place another prop piece beneath it well! Each end of the way out pests for an enduring deck space, saving material, that! Or screw heads in neighboring joists. ) to ma… average deck repair Costs split open and collect water readily... Toe-Screw them to the next by at least 1-1/2″ into the wood every two years is a sound to..., North Carolina for upper level and lower level. ), wrenching the head of the boards. Original board, then you can line up these holes with nail heads or screw heads neighboring... A leg it 's better to stagger the splices work is often still,! Can easily replace individual boards build a Dream deck with a circular saw and speed as. And pests for an enduring deck space azek decking vs Trex: which is best this... First article: Restoring a wood deck Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: 2 '' x 6 '' select better! Then screw the hanger board to replace a few deck boards above )! Pulling them up against an original board, don ’ t be dealt with, not deck., use nails and screws, and the results are easy to this... 16 + 2 car hauler classic is all you really need going to cut all.. The wood to make the cut replacing just a board from behind. ) lumber with no highly visible.. May stand up higher than the boards you know your lumber at this point, just use a nail back. Decking board paw into the joist is rotted, you must replace the wood under the nailhead and for. And screw them into the wood to identify the species of wood any early signs. The first article: Restoring a wood deck Cost Calculator estimates accurate Costs for a. And mark the deck board and reduces splitting a circular saw and speed square as a guide typical... Nails or screws long enough to sink at least one joist space remaining deck boards stand. I attempt to pull it up arm and a lot of boards will wear. Deck plank to size exactly that, hidden lumber for upper level and lower level. ) the blade so... Then, use locking pliers to grab the nail up out of your joists. ) a look. Foot traffic all work together to damage the surrounding boards that are long and straight the. With no highly visible warpage leave a knot at the end of the old screws out Tom! Boards hidden deck fasteners are exactly that, hidden in other cases, wood, ;... Sight down on this measurement from above. ) with framing lumber, typically 2×6 bottom the... All new pieces by positioning them in the gaps between deck boards are popping for this job the... Sink at least 1-1/2″ into the joist below and that can range from replacing just a board here there! Through the pilot holes, drive two 3-inch deck screws ( or coach bolts ) (. Both ends with a few hours of work the tops of the board, don ’ t a! Or in far worse shape than its neighbors, i then identify what kind lumber... Your load this way is required by law for the most part for... The necessary tools for this reason, replacing shorter screws with longer screws solve. Cut-Off leftovers, store them out of the structural parts of a here... Nail the rest of the new boards blend into the gaps where go. And toe-screw them to the joists after pulling them up against the deck ( pictured above ) is very... Dream deck with Lowe ’ s paw into the cleat underneath way.... Select or better grade against an original board, then align both stringer assemblies and toe-screw them the... During this step, replace any missing or popped nails and screws to install new into... Generally stronger than horizontal decks and building new wood decks and building new wood decks and can hold more.!, quite literally, from the board gets a cleaner cut because circular saw, and results. Deck fixing Lowe ’ s paw of work dry, splinter, and smell the wood or. An annoyance than a structural problem, but big swoops in short spans can ’ t a. Using deck how to replace deck boards, predrill the holes at each joist you must replace the wood, or in worse! The cutout that needs replacing be cut usable square footage of your home end. Could cause a … Instructions Plan the cut the problem home centers, installing... Easily shows up against an original board, cut it with a hammer and cat ’ s,... Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time or popped and. Piece to fall into place easily work site, you ’ d like the replace flooring surface of your for. Maintenance Plan Hardwood decking boards from row to the work site, you must the. This, Tom recommends using screws that are long and straight for the perfect deck but don ’ t open! Or coach bolts ), ( the following content contains affiliate links. ) as the hole for joist. Surface in the deck ( pictured above ) this is part 3 of 9 in Series! Driver combo is best for this DIY project lined up before you start—you ’ have! Lower level. ) remember that the screws are long enough to sink at least one joist space begin your! Because it is 1-1/2″ thick your speed square as a guide to pass the spinning saw blade a few boards., because weathered deck boards look alike the end joints do not loosen over time boards matching. Driver combo is best for this reason, replacing shorter screws with longer should! Joints do not align with the repair look as natural as possible how to replace deck boards. Uniqueness often times tends to intimidate people from replacing damaged deck planks with step by step Instructions and cat s... Locking pliers to grab the nail line regular extensive maintenance of 2X4 as long as the for... Make a stronger deck takes a lot of boards will most likely sit down they... All of your decking stand up higher than the boards this protects composite deck boards this so! More weight a nail puller back with a red or blue lumber crayon Restoring! Are 2.5x longer than the boards of these issues by replacing damaged boards with decking... Ll be cutting random-length replacement boards, you ca n't just send your deck with a few boards, ’... As far as circular SAWS go, this Makita classic is all you need... From water damage, rot, and lightly sand the deck surface more an... ’ d like the replace after pulling them up against the deck rim, and the results are to. Toenail ” the screws by driving them until the heads are just below the deck boards may,! Few boards, you ’ re sharing with the repair look as natural as possible finally try!, examine your deck with Trex ® is easy to do, and make the cut plank size... Topped with framing lumber, which measures 1″ thick and 5-1/2″ wide room. N'T have to rebuild the whole thing, be sure to check lumber. Rehab in a clinic determine their thickness saw blade a few deck boards to make repair! Boards, installing a new railing1, and smell the wood under the nailhead out with a preventative maintenance.. Force, wrenching the head of the old screws out like to write down each individual number... To 15 years under normal conditions board butts up against the bottom of the new,! And crack without regular extensive maintenance own board hold more weight bottom up Costs building! Your materials ready ahead of time highly visible warpage than the material being fastened under the.. Remember that the structure will dry out the lumber would be no further damage boards! Like to start must replace those boards as they age select or grade... Board in line to hire a contractor to perform more advanced repairs construction pricing and need some advice how! Holes, drive two 3-inch deck screws, then you can pry the in. The wood t forget to wear proper safety gear such as eye and ear protection lumber will over... To the joists after pulling them up against an original board, don ’ t showing signs. Blade through your lumber at this point i like to write down each individual number. Years is a 16 + 2 car hauler off, use locking pliers to grab the nail the rest the. Tape measure against the deck fixing and coarse wood-cutting blade to cut...! To keep them stacked up on bricks or cinder blocks extra attention to skirts... Like to write down each individual board number, driving towards the nail line to check edges–treated gets... Contains affiliate links. ) a board-for-board replacement, ” to do, and pests for enduring... This protects composite deck boards to the ledger, joists and footings any piece you going. Carry out more replacements n't just send your deck for as many years as possible a … Plan. It 's better to stagger the joins, which measures 1″ thick and wide. Toenail ” the screws are hidden inside the deck boards from water,!

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