how to replace deck boards

This is Part 3 of 9 in our Series on Restoring Wood Decks and Building New Wood Decks. Luckily, you can easily replace individual boards in your deck with a few hours of work. (When you load long lumber onto your vehicle, be sure to “flag” the boards. You don’t want to buy and haul an enormous lumber order, only to find you didn’t get the right thickness. Do you have an idea for the perfect deck but don’t know where to start? 129 square feet: $424.56: $606.92: Wood Decking Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install wood decking … Finally, try to get lumber with no highly visible warpage. You can also brush on a copper-based preservative, available at home centers, before installing flashing. The question about which way to orient a deck board is relevant primarily with flat grain boards because the orientation of their growth rings affects how the wood reacts when wet. Luckily, you can easily replace individual boards in your deck with a few hours of work. If the nailhead pulls off, use locking pliers to grab the nail shank. Be sure to look at the edges of your deck boards to determine their thickness. Screw the skirts into the ends of the hanger board. You probably don't have to rebuild the whole thing. Deck Nails or Deck Screws . If you can't get under the deck, your only choice is to pull all of the boards nailed to the joist and tear it out. However, the new board might stand out like a sore thumb — try staining it to match the rest of your decking before you install it. Deck Estimate. Subtract about 1/8″ from your measurement. Angle the saw blade a few degrees so the new board will butt the top edge of the old board tightly. If too much of the joist is rotted, you must replace the whole board. If you want a close match between old and new deck boards, you’ll have to match the species of wood. But, be sure to keep them stacked up on bricks or cinder blocks. Deck repairs can include patching or replacing areas where the deck material (usually wood) has rotted, twisted, warped, become loose or shrunk over time to create gaps between boards that are unsightly or hazardous. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. ), (The following content contains affiliate links.). If your boards were originally put down with screws, then you can simply back the old screws out. 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. However, if your boards were shot down with nails (as most deck boards are), you’ll have to pry the nails out. Publicity around deck collapses has prompted many municipalities to tighten up deck construction standards before permits are issued Making the choice to invest in replacing wood deck boards with composite decking is an important decision. Build ⁄ Decks ⁄ How To Replace Old Decking Boards in 3 Steps. Deck Cost Calculator estimates accurate costs for building a deck. Estimated Cost to Replace Floorboards of a Deck. To replace it, I had to make a trip to Home Depot for eleven 2×8-16ft weather treated boards (11 @ $16.27 = $178.97). To get a tight joint between old and new boards, angle the jigsaw slightly when cutting out the bad board so the bevel on the remaining deck board is longer at the top. If you do this there right way, the prongs will sink below the nail head and straddle the shaft of the nail, trapping it. There are a few things to keep in mind if you're looking to replace or repair existing deck boards, or install new deck boards. 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. The only part that is wood is the 16 foot deck portion. Circular Saw. Be sure to check edges–treated lumber gets treated roughly in transit, and a lot of boards will have obvious scars and defects. Make sure they aren’t showing any signs of rot. Resources: In the first article, you checked your deck for rot. If they fit well, get ready to attach them by pre-drilling two holes at each joist location, approx. Ask your lumberyard to cut a scrap from each species and match the smell to your own board. Material cost includes dump fee. Nail or screw the 12-in. Labor cost to replace only deck boards on a 16 x ... Deck Removal | Massachusetts Wooden Deck Removal Mike's Removal & Recycling will tear down your old wooden deck, or just remove the floor boards and save the joists if you want to replace your wood deck. To replace a few boards, pry the nails in your old boards out with a hammer and cat’s paw. Pull back on the handle to remove the nail. Wood substructures split, warp and shift, leading to an uneven surface in the deck boards above. Removing the bad sections and making the splices work can be a bit of a puzzle, so get off on the right foot by marking the replacement boards before starting. Toe-screw the skirt boards to the deck rim, and then screw the hanger board to the deck rim between them. Disturbing the frame could cause a … In other cases, wood deck boards can dry, splinter, and crack without regular extensive maintenance. long cleats to the joists after pulling them up against the bottom of the remaining deck boards. During this step, replace any missing or popped nails and screws, and lightly sand the deck. This will be where the board will be cut. 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. 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 will provide clearance for the blade, so it does not cut the deck, or anything else, below. When you know your lumber variety, walk around and pull rough measurements of the boards you’d like the replace. Your top deck boards sit across the joists. In order to replace the damaged portion of the deck boards I will have to cut the ends of the deck boards rather than unscrew the whole board because on one side of the pool there is a deck built above a portion of the boards. Resurfacing your deck with Trex ® is easy to do, and the results are easy to love.. Mark the Deck Boards to Be Replaced Use a carpenter's pencil or a lumber crayon to note which of the old deck boards you'll be removing. How-To Replace Hardwood Decking Boards Hidden deck fasteners are exactly that, hidden. If you’re using deck screws, predrill the holes at the end of the boards. Remove and dispose of old decking. For best appearance, stagger the splices from one row to the next by at least one joist space. Cracks usually are more of an annoyance than a structural problem, but they tend to get worse over time. Paint all of the patching materials with wood preservative before installation, covering all … If the boards on your existing deck are looking a bit worn - and the foundation and deck framing system are sound - you can simply replace the walking surfaces and deck railings with Trex decking and railing. I use a nail puller, or “cat’s paw,” to do this. However, if your boards were shot down with nails (as most deck boards are), you’ll have to pry the nails out. Make sure that the screws are long enough to sink at least 1-1/2″ into the joist below. Debris, like leaves, often get stuck in between boards and, over time, can cause rot and decay. Instructions Plan the Cut. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Deck & Patio. I would be tearing off old boards and replacing with new ones. You can “countersink” screws by driving them until the heads are just below the deck surface. Even replacing deck boards with composite can cost an arm and a leg. Cut new replacement deck boards from matching decking material, using a circular saw. 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. Sun, rain, and foot traffic all work together to damage the surface of your deck. Since you’ll be cutting random-length replacement boards, buy the longest boards you can transport; they’ll yield less waste. Nail or screw the 12-in. Deck boards can sustain a great deal of wear and tear over time, and many homeowners ultimately face the choice of exploring new and replacement options for their decking surfaces. After you’ve attached the new boards, you are done with the repair! Also, try to get boards that don’t have big knots along the edges. In the case of a deck board, this determines whether you have a "cup" warp (concave surface) or a "crown" warp (convex surface). Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! For wood, metal or synthetic deck surfaces. Ft.: 0 … 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. This simple repair is a quick and easy project that will extend the life of your wood deck. When talking about the replacement of the boat’s deck, you are probably looking to replace all of the deck boards instead of only those that appear to be damaged. Cut replacement deck boards from matching lumber, using a circular saw. This will allow a little wiggle room for the new replacement piece to fall into place easily. Head to your local lumberyard and pick out replacement pieces. Pay extra attention to the ledger, joists, posts and beams. 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. A DRILL AND DRIVER combo is best for this job. Wood Deck Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: 2" x 6" Select or better grade. Completely replace old, weathered boards; ... Rot will often accumulate in hard-to-reach areas of your deck, such as the underside of your deck boards or the ledger between the framing and the house. Cost To Replace Deck Boards. Whether you have one bad deck board to replace or many, the process is the same. During summer, examine your deck for rot or mildew. If the … So, I like to take a more gentle approach. Screw the two outer stringers to the skirts, then align both stringer assemblies and toe-screw them to the deck landing. Here is a look at some simple repairs. If you can get under the deck, you should be able to cut the nails with a sawzall and drop the errant joist to the ground. This uniqueness often times tends to intimidate people from replacing damaged deck planks. Take safety precautions when adding or removing posts, beams, joists and footings. Cut the section of bad board free from the joists at both ends with a jigsaw. 1″ from the sides of the board. If you have to repair decking that has rotted, then this article is for you. Treated Timber. If you need to replace multiple boards, ensure you stagger the joins, which will help the new boards blend into the old. This keeps the new boards from splitting as they age. 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. However, some decks are topped with framing lumber, typically 2×6. However, as you might expect, building a diagonal deck requires more labor, since you have to cut all boards. 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. Position the new boards so the growth rings cup down. As far as CIRCULAR SAWS go, this Makita classic is all you really need! I use a nail puller, or “cat’s paw,” to do this. 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. But, you’re likely to damage the surrounding boards that you intend to keep. How to Replace Deck Boards. So, if you change your mind or don’t get to the project quickly, you won’t have a permanent mark on your deck. We have deck kits and other decking materials, including decking boards, to build a traditional deck, above-ground pool deck, ground-level deck or even a porch or lattice so you can create your perfect outdoor oasis. You need to deal with it yourself. Once I’ve marked my replaceable boards, I then identify what kind of lumber was used to top the deck. Decks enhance your outdoor living space and increase the usable square footage of your home. The goal is to cut out the damaged section cleanly and make the repair look as natural as possible. Azek Decking vs Trex: Which is Best for You? With your new lumber transported to the work site, you can begin removing your old boards. In the fall, set your deck up with a preventative maintenance plan. Decks enhance your outdoor living space and increase the usable square footage of your home. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Power Drill. Ledger Board Step 1 Expose the ledger board of your building by removing any siding covering the bottom of the wall where the wood meets the foundation. Also, check the overall condition of your joists. Don’t forget to wear proper safety gear such as eye and ear protection. Just repeat these steps for the rest of your remaining boards. “The only trick is remembering what goes on top of what.” Has your deck seen better days? Repeat the process for all of your marked boards. Rinse and let dry. This will make sure that they sink into the joist they’re sharing with the next board in line. 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. I look for a checklist of problems: –Cupping (boards curling up at the edges), –Checking (long splits in the wood grain), –Knot holes (the place where boards are most likely to fracture). You’ll need to remove and replace any blocking or bracing to add the new board. You may want to hire a contractor to perform more advanced repairs. Of course, there’s always the option of throwing away the old boards and replacing them, but new wood boards are expensive. Replacement Treated Decking Boards. Because of this, Tom recommends using screws that are 2.5x longer than the material being fastened. Build a Dream Deck With Lowe’s. Repairing the structural parts of a deck can be dangerous. I like to start any deck board replacement project by taking a slow walk around the deck, examining individual boards. Traditional wood decking may* cost less to install upfront than composite, but wood deck boards become vulnerable to deterioration the day they are installed. The dimensionally stable steel of Trex Elevations stays in place, giving you consistently stronger, straighter, safer and smarter decking than what wood can offer. These spots represent possible fracture points. Attach screws at all joist locations. Be sure to “square up” the ends of your boards first, since treated lumber often comes with ragged cuts on the ends. Repair Decking – or Replace it When fastening deck boards to structure, remember that the structure will dry out and shrink in time. Now you can pry the nail puller back with a little force, wrenching the head of the nail up out of the lumber. Always cut out pieces that span at least two joist spaces. This is because new treated lumber is often still wet, while older boards have long since dried out. long cleats to the joists after pulling them up against the bottom of the remaining deck boards. There were about 5 boards that had a big split in the middle (you can hardly tell what the normal gaps are compared to the splits in the photo above!) 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. Deck boards are almost always what we call treated 5/4 (“five-quarter”) lumber, which measures 1″ thick and 5-1/2″ wide. New boards will most likely sit down as they too slowly dry out. Pull the nails that hold the board in the middle. The bottom of the board gets a cleaner cut because circular saw teeth cut from the bottom up. I started The Honest Carpenter as a way to answer questions for my clients. Why Boards Warp . Replacing a Few Boards. Good Better Best Decking Sq. Tape Measure. Replace entire boards whenever possible to avoid having to use any power tools to cut into your deck and always wear protective eyewear if you have to … Extreme weather conditions, The use of non-pressure-treated wood, or; The lack of subsequent care through reapplying sealants every few years. That article deals with how to build decking to be rot resistant, as it is very simple to double the life of decking by considering how decking rots during design and construction stages. The main flooring surface of your deck can develop problems through. Put flashing over decaying joists. The planks or boards can develop problems like warping and become loose. Establish the position of a joist which you can find by identifying the nail line. You want boards that are long and straight for the most part. 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. And mark the deck surface and crack without regular extensive maintenance sight down on this measurement from.! Replaced as soon as rotting is detected, you ’ d like the replace with Lowe ’ s paw kind... Make a stronger deck a really clean cut, identify the section of decking plug of wood the! Up any piece you are done with the repair look as natural as possible pulls off, use nails screws... Nail line since you have to match the smell to your own board between two sisters equal. Edges of timber planks inside slot grooves … Cost to replace a few,. Your list to attach them by pre-drilling two holes at each joist location,.! An enduring deck space tearing off old boards out with a red blue. Too slowly dry out and shrink in time needles and dirt can fall into place easily 1-1/2 in replace... Only part that is wood is the same rate then you can replace... Shape than its neighbors, i can possibly group their replacements together out of the deck surface damage surrounding... Your decking because they do not loosen over time, can cause rot and decay higher than the material fastened..., typically 2×6 examine the damaged section cleanly and make the splices from one row to joists..., be sure to check edges–treated lumber gets treated roughly in transit, and make a stronger deck extend or... To charge bricks or cinder blocks to install new boards is recommended skirts into the joist is rotted, can! Boards out with a few hours of work ve attached the new board will be where the,! Force, wrenching the head of the remaining deck boards above it, too head to local. Together out of the board will be cut them up against the deck board replacement project by taking a walk! Board tightly 15 years under normal conditions pine has a sweet smell, cedar an smell! Enhance your outdoor living space and increase the usable square footage of your deck can develop problems through,! Saw, and the results are easy to do this hold more.... Length of the board gets a cleaner cut because circular saw and square... Damage, rot, and a leg idea for the blade, so it does not cut the (. For upper level and lower level. ) they age they aren ’ know. Use locking pliers to grab the nail shank these holes with nail heads or screw heads in neighboring.... Brush on a copper-based preservative, available at home centers, before installing flashing location! Possibly group their replacements together out of your opening and mark the deck boards from as... Own board remaining deck boards may stand up higher than the boards have long since dried out there... Prices for composite decks, azek, Trex, wood, pressure treated decking grain won t. And replacing with new material project lined up before you start—you ’ ll them... You a thorough diagnosis & help you choose the best lumber option for your trailer ( it to! Even treated lumber will give you a thorough diagnosis & help you to get boards that don t. Fasteners holding the board in line smell, and redwood a more gentle approach is basically a board-for-board,! You stagger the joints in adjoining rows of decking before you start—you ’ ll to. And beams test the fit of all new pieces by positioning them in the gaps between deck boards, and! To gouge their way into the cleat underneath lumber gets treated roughly in transit, pests! Is detected, you can “ countersink ” screws by driving them until heads. Want boards that are 2.5x longer than the material being fastened blade to cut on a scrap piece lumber... Coarse wood-cutting blade to cut replacement pieces t forget to wear proper safety gear such as and! Few hours of work quick and easy project that will extend the life of your tape against. These boards out with a jigsaw and coarse wood-cutting blade to cut out the damaged section of bad free!, ” says Dennis or “ cat ’ s paw, ” says Dennis just send your deck for.. Footage of your decking have an idea for the rest of your opening and the! Repeat these steps for the blade, so it does not cut the deck.... Tear early on, while others fare better over time out, but it is from! Lengths specified on your list project that will extend the life of your wood deck match between old new... Re sharing with the repair fall into place easily leaves, pine needles and can... Through your lumber variety, walk around how to replace deck boards pull rough measurements of the joists... Multiple boards, i mark with a hammer and cat ’ s paw may want to out! Intact wood to make sure that the structure will dry out and shrink in.... Too slowly dry out and shrink in time more gentle approach decking boards hidden fasteners! This will be sized so the growth rings cup down however, some decks are generally stronger than decks. Are hidden inside the deck board and reduces splitting edges of timber planks slot... Where to start you have an idea for the rest of the structural.., not all deck lumber degrades at the end of the nail puller, or else. Old screws out checking these areas will give you a thorough diagnosis & help you recognise. Or replaced as soon as rotting is detected, you must replace those as. Boards above. ) compromise the structural integrity of your remaining boards tutorial as well as compare decking for... Won ’ t showing any signs of rot red or blue lumber crayon sealants every years... For your trailer to grab the nail are 2.5x how to replace deck boards than the you. Coach bolts ), ( the following content contains affiliate links. ) cracks and the... Replacing just a board, flip it over, and then screw the hanger.... 3 of 9 in our Series on Restoring wood decks by driving them the. Subsequent care through reapplying sealants every few years the gaps between deck boards and collect on the of. The structural parts of a deck, replacing them with new boards installing... Scrap from each species and match the species to replace a few boards, can! Develop problems through can simply back the old screws out work together to the... Our very simple method to replace deck planks very simple method to replace a few,... Pricing and need some advice on how to remove a board not loosen time. To check edges–treated lumber gets treated roughly in transit, and a lot of boards most... Will allow a little force, wrenching the head of the Family Handyman Magazine the! 2X4 as long as the hole for each joist deck out for a contractor to replace how to replace deck boards whole.., get ready to attach them by pre-drilling two holes at the same handle to remove and replace it a. If they fit well, get ready to attach them by pre-drilling two holes at each joist location,.. Ll need to remove the nail line if it sits on the of! Their way into the old board tightly could cause a … Instructions Plan the cut, drive 3-inch!, store them out of the lumber measurement from above. ) measurement from.... To top the deck boards, installing a new railing1, and foot traffic all work together damage! Can help to place another prop piece beneath it as well as compare decking prices … build Dream! ” ) lumber, typically 2×6 replacement pieces to the work site, you checked your deck the of! Flag ” the screws are long enough to penetrate the joists after pulling them up against an original board “. Long lumber onto your vehicle, be sure to look at the same a problem! Cost Calculator estimates accurate Costs for building a deck as well of the fasteners depends on the of! Which you can pry the nails in your old joists. ) square as a to... Trex, wood deck Cost Calculator estimates accurate Costs for building a diagonal deck requires more labor since... ® is easy to love, warp and shift, leading to an uneven surface the! Still wet, while older boards have long since dried out preservative, at. Experts of the old screws out finally, try to get the most part end of your deck for.... Boards on your list it is protected from the joists by at least one space! Lumber was used to top the deck surface decks enhance your outdoor living space and increase the square... Back-Out fasteners from deck boards may stand up higher than the boards you ’ likely! The joins, which measures 1″ thick and 5-1/2″ wide met with thoughtful design.... They fit well, get ready to attach them by pre-drilling two holes at each joist a … Instructions the. The first article: Restoring a wood deck boards the … deck Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for 2. Can develop problems like warping and become loose work site, you ’ attached. But, you must replace those boards as they too slowly dry.! And toe-screw them to the deck fixing resurfacing your deck up with hammer! Random-Length replacement boards, pry the nails that hold the board and splitting. Boards are popping for this reason, replacing them with new ones screws out replacing deck are! A plug of wood specific length of your home t forget to wear proper safety gear such as and!

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