How to Repair Deck Planks

Maintain your deck planks to keep your deck safe.

You can repair deck planks that have small areas of rot or other damage with a two part epoxy. It is important to repair decking as soon as you notice the damage, because doing so or not doing so will impact the safety and appearance of your deck. If you ignore plank damage, over time, small areas of damage will lead to the necessity of replacing the plank completely. Maintaining the finish on deck planks will help prevent rot and keep your deck looking new.

Things You'll Need

• Putty knife
• Wire brush
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Two-part wood epoxy
• Natural-bristle brush
• Wood finish
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Clean out the rotted or splintered wood from the damaged area of the deck plank with the edge of a putty knife.

2. Brush out any loose dirt and debris from the repair area with a wire brush. Move the brush in the same direction as the grain.

3. Sand the repair area with the wood grain using 120-grit sandpaper.

4. Brush on an even coat of epoxy primer onto the repair area with a natural-bristle paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry for up to a week depending on weather conditions.

5. Fill the repair area with epoxy filler using a putty knife. Pack the filler into the repair and smooth it out so it is level with the surface of the plank. Allow the filler to dry for 24 to 72 hours, depending on weather conditions.

6. Sand the filler using 120-grit sandpaper so that the filled repair is flush with the deck planks. Brush on two coats of a matching wood finish with a paintbrush. Allow four hours between coats.

Tips & Warnings

• Sweep your deck off regularly to remove rocks and other debris so that it will not damage the planks.

• Wear eye protection when repairing deck planks.

References

• HammerZone.com: Repairing Rotted Exterior Wood
• MisterFix-It.com: Exterior Maintenance

Resources

• Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls: How to Replace Rotten Decking