How to Fix Split Deck Boards

Repair cracked or split deck boards before injuries occur.

Weather and time will gradually weaken deck boards to the point of cracking or splitting. Damaged areas can make your deck look old and rough, and walking on them can lead to tripping injuries. Replacing the damaged wood can be accomplished with careful measurements, a saw and a few nails or screws.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Cat's claw tool
• Measuring tape
• Drill and screwdriver bits
• Circular saw
• Hacksaw or reciprocating saw
• Nails or screws
• Replacement deck boards
• Wood stain
• Wood deck sealant

Instructions

1. Purchase the decking boards you need at a home improvement center or lumberyard. Measure the length needed and cut the board with a circular saw.

2. If you are doing a partial board replacement, measure and cut the deck board from one joist to the next. It is easier to make these cuts using a jigsaw due to the close proximity of neighboring deck boards.

3. Use a drill with a screwdriver bit to remove screws that are securing the deck board. If it is fastened with nails, use a pry bar or a cat's claw tool. A cat's claw tool is a 90-degree pry bar with a sharp-clawed end. It can get a bite into the wood beneath the nails, enabling the claw to pry the nail free. Hammer the board from under the deck to loosen any remaining nails. This might provide enough play between the nails and the wood to get a grip on them with the pry bar. A reciprocating saw or hacksaw will cut through the nails you can't remove. Cut the nails from under the deck near the joists.

4. Place the new deck board into position and secure it with screws or decking nails. Partial deck boards need to be secured to the joists by driving the nails or screws into the wood at an angle.

5. Stain and seal the wood to match the other deck boards.

Tips & Warnings

• Take careful measurements when doing a partial deck board replacement. Improper measuring can result in an uneven deck surface.

• Use safety glasses when operating saws and working on decks.

• Do not burn the old deck boards, especially if it is pressure-treated wood. Contact your local waste disposal service for instructions.

References

• MLive.com: Deck Repair on a Budget
• Handy Household Hints: How To Replace Bad Boards On Your Deck