Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Renovating deck using the same boards
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Lionel
05-04-08, 05:56 PM
Hi,
I have a 400sqf deck which is in real bad shape: the paint (!) i peeling off and most (if not all) boards are quite deeply gouged.
Expect those problems, the deck is very sturdy and it would be a shame to throw everything away. So I'm looking for solutions to reuse the existing boards.
Besides the not so good sanding solution (not sure what kind of wood it is, sanding pressure treated wood could be nasty, plus the nail problem), I'm thinking of using the back side of the boards. It would involve removing each board one by one, turning them upside down, and then screw them back on the existing structure.
Did anybody try this solution? Do you think it can work?
Thanks.
Lionel
I have a 400sqf deck which is in real bad shape: the paint (!) i peeling off and most (if not all) boards are quite deeply gouged.
Expect those problems, the deck is very sturdy and it would be a shame to throw everything away. So I'm looking for solutions to reuse the existing boards.
Besides the not so good sanding solution (not sure what kind of wood it is, sanding pressure treated wood could be nasty, plus the nail problem), I'm thinking of using the back side of the boards. It would involve removing each board one by one, turning them upside down, and then screw them back on the existing structure.
Did anybody try this solution? Do you think it can work?
Thanks.
Lionel
Kobuchi
05-04-08, 06:34 PM
How to remove? Pry them, they dent. Bang from below, same thing. Likely break a few.
You can sink the nails with a nailset, then sand. They'd have to be sunk anyway, if you flipped the boards. Treated, yeah it's nasty but a cheap dust mask and breezy day will keep you good.
You can sink the nails with a nailset, then sand. They'd have to be sunk anyway, if you flipped the boards. Treated, yeah it's nasty but a cheap dust mask and breezy day will keep you good.
mitch17
05-05-08, 05:51 AM
Yeah, flipping the boards is an option, but I think Kobuchi has adequately covered the pitfalls there. I've sanded my deck a few times with no trouble - I just set all the nails first.
lefty
05-05-08, 07:25 PM
Lionel,
I don't want to rain on your parade, but having torn out about 2,000 wood decks, what you are going to find is that if the deck boards are in as bad as shape as you say they are, the framing, or at least the tops of the joists, are going to be shot. The posts and beams will probably be reusable. Plan on replacing the joists. This time, spend a few extra dollars and cover the tops of the joists with Vycor.
Flipping the deck boards over is an option, but don't expect them to last more than about another 10 years. You'll be putting the gouged and punky wood on the bottom, and your deck is going to get springy because of the rot.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but having torn out about 2,000 wood decks, what you are going to find is that if the deck boards are in as bad as shape as you say they are, the framing, or at least the tops of the joists, are going to be shot. The posts and beams will probably be reusable. Plan on replacing the joists. This time, spend a few extra dollars and cover the tops of the joists with Vycor.
Flipping the deck boards over is an option, but don't expect them to last more than about another 10 years. You'll be putting the gouged and punky wood on the bottom, and your deck is going to get springy because of the rot.