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How to Replace a Damaged Deck Board
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Circular sawCrowbarDrillFastenersPencilPry barSaber sawSandpaperScrap woodSquareTape measureClip Transcript For:
How to Replace a Damaged Deck Board
computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate
" As wooden decks weather decking can often crack or splinter. Here's how to replace a decking plank. Using the Saber saw, make it cut into the damaged plank. Be careful to avoid nicking the adjoining planks. Using a pry bar, lift the damaged board up. Working slowly to ease the plank up off the joist and be careful not to damage to surrounding decking. Pull out the old fasteners as you go. A crowbar will give you much more prying leverage. Slip a piece of wood under the crowbar to protect the decking at a place where the bar will pivot on the deck. Once you have lifted the board well clear the damaged area, locate the nearest joist and using a square mark the center of the joist on the board. Lift the board and draw a line on the decking plank with the square and pencil exactly halfway across the thickness of the supporting joist below. Moving to the other end of the damaged plank, again measure the damage plank, so that the cut will be exactly half the thickness of the supporting decking. Now, lift each end of the damaged board up and support it with a piece of scrap wood. Using a circular saw cut the decking plank along each marked line. Do this at both ends. Now remove the damaged section. Carefully, measure the opening for the replacement board. Transfer the measurement to the replacement board and lay down cut lines with a square and pencil. Cut the new board and install it in place. Next, select the drill bit that is slightly smaller than the fastener you'll be using and drill two new pilot holes in each end of the board for the fasteners. The pilot holes protect the new plank from splitting. Using the same nails or screws as the deck was built with, secure the new board in place making sure that the fasteners are set below the surface of the wood. Finally, sand the joints for a smooth fit and finish the new decking with a sealer stain or paint that matches the existing deck."
