If you’re a DIYer, you can make your deck look good as new with this guide!
Attention DIYers! Do you want to learn how to repair warped deck boards yourself? After several years, a new deck can begin to display wear and tear. This blog demonstrates how to straighten deck boards that are cupping at the ends.
Simple Deck Repair Tools
Anyone with minimal handy skills can complete these deck repair tasks. All you need are the following tools:
- Nail puller
- Drill
- Pry bar
- Nail set and hammer
- 2.5″ deck screws
- Scrap pieces of pressure-treated or cedar (2×4)
- Optional: You can request that your home improvement store cut a board into 16″ pieces for a nominal fee.
Hammer Down Raised Nails with a Nail Set
Slide your finger over the surface of each raised nail. If the nail is above the wood’s surface but cannot get under the head to pull it out, you may hammer it down. However, don’t go smacking each one with a hammer! Utilize a nail set to force the nail back into place without impairing the surrounding wood.
Moreover, pick a nail set that is slightly smaller than the nail head, put the tip in the nail’s center, and strike it! The force of the hammer will drive the nail back into the wood without leaving anything. This would also help straighten out the deck boards that have risen up because the nail has better contact with the joists below.
Use Screws to Replace the Popped Nails
Sometimes, you come across a nail that rises a quarter of an inch above the deck’s surface. Rather than hammering them, replace those foot-stabbing nails with deck screws. Use a nail puller to eliminate the offending nail without damaging the surrounding wood. One end is thin enough to slip under the nail head to pop it up. Once the nail has been pulled out an inch or so, switch to the other side of the nail puller or utilize a pry bar to pull out the rest.
Embrace Bracing to Repair Warped Deck Boards
Extra bracing underneath is an excellent way to repair warped deck boards. However, this method only functions if you can access the underside of the deck. Otherwise, you are better off pulling up the old board and replacing it with a new one if it is enclosed or a few inches off the ground.
Over time, the end of the board that was not secured begins to curl up and warp. Solution:
- Hammer the nails from the underside, pulling the rest with a pry bar.
- Cut a scrap of pressure-treated or cedar 2×4 long enough to span the warped board and the two on either side.
- Screw the curled board down into the new piece (do it slowly so you can avoid splitting it).
Voila! No more tripping hazards!
Call Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence for Your New Deck or Fence!
Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence has almost 30 years of experience in building beautiful custom fences, gazebos, screened-in porches, and decks throughout the state of Maryland. We have the expertise to design your dream fence or custom deck and have it installed in a headache-free process. Give us a call at 1-800-833-9310 or visit us online for a quote today! We offer many different styles of fencing and decking, in addition to custom options designed specifically to suit your preferences and tastes. To see examples of our work and get more tips on how to choose the right decking for your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn.