How To Repair Your Deck

Save your deck! Make your old outdoor "Living Space" as good as new.
Tools and Materials
Analyze the Deck
Safety First
Power Wash the Deck
Set Popped Nails
Rotted Deck Joist
Rotted Beam Support Post
Replace the Deck Boards
Install New Deck Railing
Fix Deck Stairs
Install New Stair Railing
Apply a Deck Stain


Tools and Materials
Wood as specified for your deck (Top Choice Pressure Treated or another rot-resistant type that matches the original construction, such as red-wood, cedar or cypress) 
1,000-psi high-pressure power washer 
Power miter box 
Circular saw, drill/driver, nail set, various hand tools as specified 
Reset nails, screws and other hardware as specified 
Cinder block 
Exterior stain 

Analyze Your Deck
Analyze the Deck before beginning so you know how much work is involved. Carefully inspect the entire deck and keep a list of what needs to be done. Look for the various problems featured below. Once you have evaluated what is involved in your deck repair project, the next step is to determine the type and quantity of wood products needed to get the job done right. Getting the right results starts with buying the best lumber. 

Purchasing better lumber
saves you time and money, because less wood is wasted and less cutting is needed to complete the project. Premium Pressure Treated Lumber is a smoother, straighter, better looking product that is a #2 Prime Grade. . 

It's time to work on your deck if it has any of these common

problems:
1. Nail Pops
2. Cracks
3. Rotted Steps
4. Warped Railings
5. Gaps


Safety First 
Use safety glasses, ear protection and work gloves when performing potentially hazardous aspects of the project.

Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Power wash the deck with a 1,000-psi unit to remove grime and the old finish. 

Step 2
Set popped nails. First use a nail set to drive the nail back down below the surface. Then drive a deck screw
alongside until it covers the nail head and locks it in place.

Step 3
Deal with rotted deck joists one of two ways. Remove the old ones and add new ones (very time consuming)
or, add new ones alongside the old ones. If all deck joists are rotted, you should tear everything out and start
fresh. Because rot is contagious, air space must be provided between the old and the new. Using treated lumber, cut the new joist to size and attach the new metal joist hangers with special nails.

Step 4
Replace rotted beam support posts. Before you can replace any bad support posts, you need to provide
the deck temporary support. Build a temporary post out of 2x4s and wedge tightly in place, resting it on a solid
base like a cinder block. Try to unbolt the old one and slide it out. If that doesn't work, cut it in half with a
handsaw. Cut a new 4x4 treated-wood post to length, put it in position, and drill holes for new zinc-plated carriage bolts. Drive the bolts home with a hammer, add new washers and nuts, and finally remove the temporary support.

Step 5
Replace the deck boards. You can either replace them all or get rid of the really bad boards and reuse the
boards with undersides that are in very good condition. If you replace them all, consider premium Pressure Treated Decking. These premium grade boards have up to eight times more water repellent than lumber with a typical brush-on application, and no additional treatment is needed for up to two years. To reuse a board, flip it over. Reinstall boards in their original spots with galvanized screws (using old nail holes for the screws). If you have access from below, pound the deck boards up with a small sledgehammer and a scrap block of wood. If you don't have access from below, pry up or cut away one or two boards at a time. Then put them right back after they have been routed. 

Step 6
Install the new deck railing. In order to meet the latest safety guidelines, openings should not be more than     4 in. Demolish the old railing and put up a safety barrier of 2x4s and colored nylon rope. Build the railing in 4-ft. sections by first cutting all the parts to length. Since you're duplicating so many pieces, clamp the boards together and transfer your measurements all at once. Find a level spot and start nailing the 1x4s and 1x2s together with 4d galvanized nails. Cut the 2x4 posts to length and then cut the notch to fit the deck rim joist. Drill holes for the zinc-plated carriage bolts and drive the bolts through with a hammer. The pairs of 2x4s should be positioned 1 in. apart. Take your assembled section of railing and lower it in place over the 1x2s attached to each of the 2x4s. These 1x2s correctly position the railing while conforming to the design scheme. Drive deck screws through the railing's 1x4 base cap. 

Step 7
Fix deck stairs that need repair.
Unscrew, unbolt or cut through any fasteners and remove the old stairs in one piece. Using the old stair stringers as a template, mark the dimensions on the new 2x12s. Cut out the new stair stringer part way with a circular saw by carefully following the lines that you marked. Then finish the cut with a handsaw. There are at least two ways to attach the stringers to the deck rim joist (the 2x8 or 2x10 that marks the outer edge of your deck). Each stringer may be attached to the outside of the rim joist using 4-in. galvanized deck screws, as in this project. The last notch of stringers will tuck under the rim joist. Just be sure that the tucked-under portion of the stringer is large enough to fully secure the stringers in place. If you would like to strengthen the stairs while giving them a more finished look, add risers by screwing them in place with a drill/driver and 2-in. galvanized deck screws. Install new 2x6 stair treads from "bullnose" (the edges are curved rather than square) treated lumber. Use a drill/driver and 3-1/2 in. galvanized deck screws. If you are not reinstalling the old railing, rig up a temporary railing of 2x4s and brightly colored rope for
safety. 

Step 8
Install the new stair railing. The stair railing is built to the same dimensions and design as the deck railing.
The only difference is the angle of the staircase. Start with the 2x4 posts down to the ground level and concrete pad. With all the 2x4 posts in place, measure the angle necessary for cutting the 1x4 ends to fit. Nail the 1x2s between the 1x4s so that they're at a right angle to the stair treads. Then screw 1x2s to each 2x4 post to help position and hold the railing section when it's slid into place. Finally, install the 2x4 rail cap (the deck railing uses a 2x6 instead of a 2x4). 

Step 9
Apply a deck stain to entire structure using a paint roller on an extension handle. For deck boards, be sure to
use a deck stain designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and provide a color density sufficient to make the deck
and stairs look completely consistent.

Your revitalized deck will add years of outdoor enjoyment for your family and friends.