How to Replace a Rotten Deck or Decking

29Comments

Hi Kelly,

You would still follow the same process by removing all the rotten wood first and then rebuilding with new wood.

Emily Lyman
Ron Hazelton Team

Emily Lyman

Nov 20, at 9:53pm

29Comments

what if your rotten deck is not on the ground?

kelly

Oct 21, at 9:32am

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At the point where the ends of the boards are attached you toe nail them on a single joist. This encourages the ends to split as the nails or screws are too close to the end ofthe boards.What you should do is add and extra joist with spacer blocks between. This will cost more wood etc but wil lallow you to attach the deck boards two to three inches back from the ends.One should even consider predrilling the holes for the screws/nails to eliminate the chance the deck boards split. I lost the surface deck boards due to rot caused by not following this procedure with pressure treated 5/4 boards in less then 7 years so I know toe nailing is not the way to go. Anyway for what it's worth this has been my experience. I only give it so someone else can avoid this costly error. As well one shoud use WRP to treat the deck to resist moisture/water absorpson and then cover it with a suitable stain. Reapply as necessary (sometimes annually)depending on the climate at your location. There is no way we can avoid the maintenance, if we want to have a good looking, long lasting deck.made out of wood~!!!!

M.Lundrigan

May 16, at 9:36pm

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I have several comments on this video. 1. While the frame was bare, why didn't you treat it with wood preservative? That would have help make it last longer. 2. Gloves and safety goggles along with long sleeves and pants would have been safer. 3. What is the code for safety railings in Oregon? In Colorado, you would have to installed one. 4. You used Thompson water seal and I have had no luck with it in the dry climate of Colorado, but maybe the humid climate up there it would.

ImJustAvg

May 12, at 9:51am

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Why not toe screw the edges of the planks to the joists instead of nailing? Better holding power and less chance of dinging up the top edge of the board that's already down.

Dennis P

May 7, at 6:25pm

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Nice info on the clips, but how do you handle fastening the ends of boards down when 2 come together on a single joist?

May 7, at 3:28pm

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I really enjoy Ron's tv show and his videos

Dean

May 7, at 3:19pm

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Great Video! One comment of safety concern. Ron, I noticed that when you assisted pulling up on a plank that you bent over at the waist to pull the board up. To avoid lower back injury, a person should always bend at the knees and lift the load using upper leg muscles.

Greg

May 7, at 1:33pm

29Comments

The tip on sealing the ends on the cut wood was a very excellent point to make. And I love the clips you used. Not sure if my tip can be scientifically proven, but has worked good for me. That is before installing but after cuttting and sealing each piece of decking (or shed bottom) to spray the underside with car undercoating as well as the joists while exposed. I've done this in building several sheds for people and you get much less bugs and especially spiders living underneath, as for some reason they do not like the tar. Great video, thanks MarshlBob

Bob Marshall

May 6, at 10:58pm

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Has anyone ever developed a product to fill the checking in old deck boards? Would think someone has an epoxy that could be stained and be weather resistant.

Les Spencer

May 6, at 9:03pm

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great video for I need to completely replace my old rotting deck. I'm just wondering what you recommend a person to do with the old boards? Ours have been treated several times through the years, so I don't think we'd want to burn them and am not sure about taking them to a dump. Recommendations?

Linda Duzenski

May 6, at 7:47pm

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Everything you've done is educational, but I am a stickler on safety (having worked as a Toolmaker and Inspector for 30 years). Gloves and safety glasses should be used.

Paul Swaneck

May 6, at 7:42pm

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Great job. I really like the invisible fasteners.

Claude

May 6, at 1:54pm

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You replaced this deck with new decking. If you were to reuse the old decking, would it be ok or worth while to plane the visible surface prior to i nstalling to get a fresher look?

Alex N

May 6, at 1:14pm

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I give up on these video's and web site, I don't know why after all these months I can no longer see the videos. Great helpful web site when it was viewable!!!

tjv

May 6, at 12:42pm

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With treated wood decking. How long should you what before staining it?

gordon standley

May 6, at 12:20pm

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Ron!....Great project BUT Where are you manners Buddy??? It's always Ladies first when serving, etc....You served her husband first...that's a no no! Just Say'in...

Tim Passinault

May 6, at 11:18am

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Hahaha, a piece of cake, good one Ron. @ Christopher Springmann. good on you for reminding people of safety. It is so important. @Ron, I always stagger my joins. The toe nailing is something I never thought of but it works with hardwood floors so why not in this application. Good job.

Sean

May 6, at 11:11am

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I appreciated the video, thank you for making it, it was helpful. My one concern was that it shows the old wood being stacked out in the grass but no indication of, or verbal warning re: removing the nails or pounding the tips back to even with the board so that one doesn't accidentally step on a nail, necessitating a trip to the doctor for a tetnus shot. A few extra steps can make for a safe work environment and a successful project with happy memories.

Linda

May 6, at 10:59am

29Comments

I know Ron is concerned with safety, as the glasses are a good start, but gloves, leather gloves, are a must with nasty old decking. Ear protection is helpful, too, what with whacking that cat's paw continually with a hammer; and using the cut-off saw. The clips are terrific and make a clean installation, but check first with FastenMaster, as they don't work with all "non-wood" decking material. I agree with the spacing question, too. Instead of using nails, think about screws, after first drilling a pilot hole. In fact, I'd avoid nails, period. The accumulation of soil and moisture usually accelerates the deck rot, especially is areas that have been "softened" or cupped by hammer blows.

Christopher Springmann

May 6, at 9:37am

29Comments

Kreg has a new blind drilliing jig for deck installation. Have you any experience with it? It seems to make the entire process very simple and eliminates extra parts, clips etc.

John Walters

May 6, at 8:33am

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my deck in upstate ny is put on with screws and most of them are breaking off when trying to un screw them or stripping any recomendations????

Betsy

May 6, at 8:29am

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A buddy of mine told me of a tip I think is wunnerful. He found out about it when doing a "re-deck". Strips of felt paper or, better yet, ice shield, placed atop the joists before installing the deck boards will greatly lengthen the life of the joists, possibly thru several "re-decks". The felt can be stapled on while the ice shield has adhesive.

Jesse

May 6, at 7:29am

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GREAT VIDEO ON DECK REPAIR.NEED TO PUT A NEW DECK ON MY MYSELF.THANKS FOR THE INFO.GREAT JOB RON

RICK ANGERS

May 6, at 5:37am

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what i do especially with someone not well versed in power saw use or for making an accurate cut like a door or the ends of the deck, is to create ijig that the saw can rest against. i do this by laying a board whatever distance from the edge so the saw sole plate can rest against it. i clamp both ends and use it as a guide for a perfectly straight line. Also perhaps you can show a video of how the wood should be laid down. when i lay a deck or stairs i place the "CUP" of the wood downward. to prevent the wood from warping away over time. perhaps you can show that process in na upcoming video?

richard crowley

May 6, at 4:09am

29Comments

Another great video. I don't have a deck now but If I move from here I hope to get one & if it ever needs to be replaced I hope I can remember this video.

Ernie

May 6, at 2:42am

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I watched the deck replacement video and wonder why you did not leave a space between boards for expansion and contraction of wood? The space between boards also allows water to go through and not sit on the deck. I live in Washington State, which as you know, we get a lot of rain! I think the clips are a great idea. I will use them when we replace our deck.

Joy A. Fleenor

May 6, at 12:46am

29Comments

I'm replacing wood floor of 16ft work trailer that's stored outside. (10 boards 8"x16ft). Should I use untreated lumber and treat it myself with what you can suggest? Or use treated lumber? If treated lumber is used, would further treatment by me be required? -- Trailer was new 6yrs ago. I primed then painted upper surface of wood within 3 days of purchase. Several boards now rotting

b weaver

Feb 15, at 12:37pm

29Comments

i have a small front porch that has been replaced once by my husband, n again 3yrs later by professionals. and its now 4yrs later., and this porch is n bad shape agin. why would the wood keep rotting

rebecca

Oct 21, at 2:05pm

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How to Replace a Rotten Deck or Decking