Repairing Decking and Joists

If decking damage is confined to a small area, replace that section rather than an entire board. This saves
time and money, and won't compromise your deck's looks or sturdiness. If the damage is merely cosmetic,
you can sometimes remove the plank, flip it over and fasten it back in place.

Before you cut completely through a damaged joist, support the deck on either side of the cut. Otherwise
your deck could crash! Replace structural members with treated lumber if they're not visible. Match existing
members that show with redwood, cedar, or pressure-treated lumber.

WHAT YOU'LL
NEED

SKILL TOOLS
SCALE Awl
Medium Pry bar
Screw gun or hammer
TIME Circular saw
REQUIRED Wood chisel
You can Tape measure
replace Sprayer
damaged Scrub brush
decking in Paintbrush
about 2
hours; to MATERIALS
repair a Treated decking lumber
joist, about Galvanized nails or screws
3 hours. Baking soda
Sealer

Remove nails or screws from the damaged decking board, using a pry bar or
screwgun. If the fasteners won't come out, chop the board into pieces with a
chisel or saw, pry up the slivers, and toss 'em out.

Inspect the joists underneath for signs of rotted wood. Repair and reinforce joists
that have soft, discolored areas.
Use a hammer and chisel to remove any rotted portions of joists.

Apply a thick coat of sealer-preservative to the damaged joist. Let it dry, then
apply a second coat of sealer. Cut a reinforcing joist from pressure-treated
lumber.

Treat all sides of the reinforcing joist with clear sealer-preservative, and let it dry.
Position the reinforcing joist tightly against the damaged joist, and attach it with
16d(3.5") galvanized nails driven every two feet. Or fasten it with 3 1/2-inch
galvanized deck screws.

Attach the reinforcing joist to the ledger and header joist by toenailing with nails
or screws. Cut replacement deck boards from matching lumber, using a circular
saw.

If the existing decking is gray, "weather" the new decking with a solution made
from 1 cup of baking soda and 1 gallon of warm water. Rinse and let dry.
Apply a coat of sealer-preservative or staining sealer to all sides and both ends
of the new decking board.

Position the new decking and attach it to joists with galvanized deck screws or
nails. Make sure the space between boards matches that of existing decking.