woods deck see a destiny of wearing and tear over the years . Sun damage , rot , and wear down from cosmopolitan use can do wood to dilapidate and split , posing safety risks and make visual eyesore . fortuitously , you do n’t have to build up an exclusively new pack of cards just to repair a modest section of damage .
When to Replace a Deck Board
The matter you need to study when determining whether your deck should be patched or fully replaced is the scope of the damage . Is the damage limited to just a few boards ? If so , there ’s no enquiry that patching is the unspoiled route . However , keep in mind that the full scope of the scathe can be shroud by the pack of cards circuit card , so it ’s incredibly of import to take a feel beneath to inspect the wellness of the joists .
Oftentimes , damage on the surface is indicative of damage beneath the surface . If deck of cards board are rotting in a specific smirch , there ’s a near chance that the joist beneath them are molder as well . This should n’t be stimulate for more concern , as most damaged joist can well be patched as well .
How to Choose a Replacement Board
Choosing wood for your deckpatch is as childlike as measuring the existing circuit card and buying control board that rival those measurements . Most decks are construct using 5/4 boards , which are 1 - 1/4 inches thick . The wily part can be matching the wood species , which will greatly improve your chances of matching the tone of the existing board .
While deck of cards can be made from a wide salmagundi of Sir Henry Wood , most are constructed using cedar , redwood , or press - treated yellow pine . To aid in find oneself replacement boards that fit , slue a patch from the board you ’re replacing and take them with you to the lumberyard or hardware memory . Match the looks and smell with the boards you ’re purchase . If you ’re not confident in your ability to do this , need for a worker to serve you to ensure you get the right deck boards .
How to Replace a Deck Board
What You’ll Need
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Before you commence ripping up the damaged deck of cards boards , familiarise yourself with the full scope of the legal injury . If you see harm on the top of the deck , appear for damage beneath the deck . compromise joist will need to be structuralized as part of the repair .
If the joist has minimal damage , you may often get by with a section of joist material sistered to the damage joist . Just be sure to secure the sistered joist to a portion of square wood at least 1 foot past the damaged area using 16d nails or 3 - inch exterior framing screws . If the joist is importantly damaged , you might need to sister the joist across its entire duration .
Warning : If your joists are significantly damaged , consult a licenced contractile organ before locomote forward with your reparation .
Credit: EJ-J / Getty Images
Step 2: Plan Your Cuts
begin by using a speed second power to mark the board flush alongside the joist . To find the joist , plainly look through the whirl between the board . Repeat the marking process on the other ending of the damage display panel part , making sure you leave at least one healthy joist between the ends you ’re cut .
Step 3: Cut Out Damaged Boards
cautiously cut the damaged boards from the deckusing a jigsaw . adjudge the jigsaw flat and forbear from cutting into the joist below .
Step 4: Remove Boards
Remove the damage part . If the panel is nailed to the sizable joist and is unmanageable to remove , practice a tool shout a cat ’s mitt to dig into the Sir Henry Joseph Wood and hit the nail .
Step 5: Add Support Cleats
The final stage of the novel boards will be confirm by cleats on each joist . To add these cleat , cut a 2x4 to at least 1 foot in length and nail or bed it into the joist just below the removed board . reiterate on the other end of the removed plane section . To forbid splitting , drill pilot program trap using a drill bit slightly belittled than your fastener .
Tip : While the joist is exposed , seal any discredited or uncertain areas to protect from next bunkum .
Step 6: Measure and Cut Replacement Boards
Measure the length of the removed section and cut a transposition deck board to this length .
Step 7: Install Replacement Boards
Slide the alternate deck board into spot and fasten it using 2 - 1/2 - in deck jailor . Position the board with any obvious cupping facing upward , so the board disgorge piddle rather than holding it . If you see no obvious cupping , visit the death grain and aim any obvious curvature upwardly .
Step 8: Stain and Seal the New Boards
mark andseal the new boardsto match your subsist dining table . For the best upshot , sand , stain , and seal your entire deck of cards after installing the replacement boards .
How to Prevent Future Deck Damage
Now that you ’ve complete your deck haunt , it ’s crucial to perform the proper maintenance to preclude future damage . Stain and seal your pack of cards annually or biannually for the best shelter . Additionally , bet for reasons that your pack of cards was damaged in the first place . Are there gutters debilitate on your deck of cards or tattling spigot ? Resolve any issues to check your deck of cards last for year to issue forth .
Credit: Bob Stefko
