How to Tighten Loose Decking

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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When a board or two on your deck gives a little bounce or creak every time you step on it--and especially when you find you're always stepping over a board to avoid this--it's time to batten it down. Over time, decking nails may lose some of their grip or boards may become twisted. Either way, you should be able to fix it easily if the boards are in good shape overall.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Small Wooden Shim
Electric Drill With Screwdriver Bit
Galvanized Decking Screws
Hammer

Step1

Look along the length of the loose board from its end, and then from a low angle across the deck, to see if the board contains any high or low spots. This will tell you where some fasteners may have pulled out slightly or if one side of the board has twisted up.

Step2

If you find a low spot, you can raise it by hammering a shim between the underside of the decking and the joist below it (see A).

Step3

To fix boards that have pulled up, use an electric drill with a screwdriver bit to drive in a galvanized screw at an angle through one side of the board into the joist that is below its loosest section (see B). Start with the higher side of the board, if there is one, as it may have twisted up.

Step4

Drive another screw at an opposite angle into the other side of the board at the same joist. This should lock the board into place.

Step5

If the length of the board is still not completely secure, drive a pair of screws through it into each of the other joists below.

Step6

Check to make sure you haven't created any low spots, and use a shim to raise up any significant ones. You may need to back out the screws first, then level the spot and drive them back in.

Tips & Warnings

If there is creaking and movement throughout your deck and not just on a board or two, check to see if the joists and supports underneath the decking are loose.
When a board is seriously cracked along much of its length, it is difficult for any fasteners to hold down the entire board securely. Putting in a new board (see How to Replace Damaged Deck Boards) is probably your best solution.
To prevent decking from splitting, always predrill holes before you nail or install screws.