How to Replace Rotten Wood on a Deck

A rotted deck floor can be dangerous.

Rotted wood on a deck floor is a dangerous situation for anyone who utilizes the deck. The weight of the person could cause the board to fail and the person could fall through the deck. This could cause a broken leg or worse depending on the height of the deck from the ground. Fortunately, the process of replacing a rotted board is not a difficult one and with the right tools, you can quickly get the job done.

Things You'll Need

• Prybar or screwdriver
• Tape measure
• Miter saw
• Hammer or hand drill
• Nails or screws
• Stain or paint
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Inspect the fasteners that hold the rotted board in place. You will locate nails or screws. If you locate nails, place a pry bar at the end of the board and pry the board up and off the deck joists. Pry out any nails left in the joists where you removed the board with your pry bar. If you locate screws, remove the screws with a screwdriver and lift the rotted board off the joists.

2. Measure the width and thickness of the board with your tape measure. In addition, measure the length of the board with the tape measure.

3. Select a board that measures the same width and thickness as the original board and that is long enough for you to cut to the proper length.

4. Cut the board to the proper length with a miter saw or with a circular saw.

5. Place the board onto the deck to fill the hole left by the removal of the rotted board. Secure the board to the deck joists with the same type of fasteners previously used. If you use nails, you will need a hammer to pound the nails in. If you use screws, Drill pilot holes in the board with a hand drill to avoid splitting the wood when you drive in the screws with your screwdriver.

6. Stain or paint the new wood to match the rest of the deck. If the deck is weathered, now is a good time to paint or stain the entire deck so all of the wood matches in color. If you used pressure treated lumber, you can forgo painting or staining.

References

• This Old House: Porch Floor Repair; Norm Abram; August 2008