How To Replace Deck Boards

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AFFILIATE TOOL LINKS FOR THIS VIDEO:
Makita Circular Saw:
Dewalt Drill/Driver Combo:
Stanley 36" Wrecking Bar:
Estwing "Cats Paw" Nail Puller:
Estwing 16 oz. Hammer:

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Check out our other DECK-RELATED VIDEOS linked below!
Replace Deck Handrails:
Fix Loose Deck Nails:
Replace Deck Balusters:

Deck boards show wear and tear unevenly. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you how to remove and replace individual deck boards with basic carpentry tools.

(You generally know it's time to replace a deck board if it is excessively cracked--or cracked ACROSS the board--or if it is spongy and pitted, or split along the linear grain. If a deck board moves badly underfoot when you step on it, then that deck board should be replaced, as it can present a danger of someone stepping through it.

Tool List:
Circular Saw
Drill/Driver
Speed Square
Tape Measure
Nail Puller
16 0z. Hammer
Lumber Crayon
9/64" Drill Bit
Lumber Pencil

Material List:
Exterior Screws
Treated Lumber

For a detailed article on this topic, including product links, click below!

Steps:
1. Mark bad deck boards with a lumber crayon
2. Measure marked deck boards
3. Identify thickness of deck boards.
4. Calculate amount of replacement deck board lumber
5. Purchase treated replacement deck board lumber
6. Remove old boards with nail puller, hammer and pry bar
7. Sweep off joists
8. Measure empty spaces
9. Cut new deck boards with circular saw and speed square
10. Install replacement deck boards with drill/driver and exterior screws

For more tips and articles, visit us at The Honest Carpenter website!

[sivasaumyan]

What attracted me to this video are the subtle safety tips which most of the people ignore. Really in-depth . That's a +1 subscription from me. :)

[solarqueen]

thank you so much for this. i'm a 30 year old female that bought my first house last year. i've been stressing about the costs of getting some of my deck boards replaced. i feel confident making an attempt myself after watching this video. thank you!!

[dogsareawomansbestfriend]

I had a few boards replaced, next year a few more, until more were rotting the next year. Had the hole deck redone. What a wonderful deck I have now!

[ScottDavis-diwn]

This is by far the best video i have come across to learn or get some tips on how to do something. It was straight to the point, you didnt go off on some pointless story or didnt explain the process more than you have to. You spoke clear, made it simple and easy to understand. Thank you!

[traumarnri]

Thank-you beyond words for those of us who need the extra attention to safety and detail. It provides the confidence and enjoyment of "doing it ourselves"!

[goodcitizen]

One of the best videos about decks. After looking at a few videos, I replaced a few rotten planks of my deck last month. It was the first time I did this kind of project. I purchased a reciprocating saw first. Along with the deck planks, my joists which rest on the ground, are also rotten. Some sections of the joists were completely rotted. So after removing the planks, I replaced small sections of the joists under the removed planks with a 4x4 treated wood. It was tough but I managed. I think a circular saw would have worked easier. Removing planks for the entire deck would have been very expensive during these days of the Pandemic. Its now looking colorful but I think in a few months, the color of the new planks will merge with the older ones. Its confusing work initially but now if I need to replace more, it will be a piece of cake.

[JonathanMartinez-xsze]

One of the best deck videos on YouTube !

[ronysib]

Very nicely explained for everyone who has no clue about construction but trying.

[fredberger]

Hey honest carpenter, as always, love your work. Adding my two cents worth - with 5/4 decking I'm content to use 2" or 2 1/4" #8 shank decking screws; there's really no advantage to a longer screw, and the #8 shank goes in easily without predrilling (except in end boards of course). Remember, with round rings, bark side down to prevent cupping . . .

[irie]

Thanks so much. Your instructions was the gospel; From the tools needed to do the job to getting the nails out correctly and the boards to replace it with. I just started with a step, now I'm charged-up to tackle the large area's with a passion.

[ajays]

Thanks for sharing detailed instructions on removing old boards. It is a rare video

[mejustme]

Certainly LOOKS easy. I suppose that’s because you know what your doing and been doing it a while ❤

[BlueBear]

Liked your video, very clear and concise instructions and well filmed. I just replaced a number of rotted 2 x 4s but found it difficult to extract the spiral nails using the hammer and pry bar technique. I ended up using an angle grinder to take the heads off the nails, then the board comes up easily with the pry bar. Next time I build a deck I’ll used screw nails!

[jameshruska]

Always need to check the grain of the deckboard to make sure its crown down, otherwise cupping will occur and you will be changing out deckboards more often then needed!

[Lampropeltis]

Wow! You made it look possible to do! Best video I’ve seen about the topic so far. Thank you.

[Redfour]

I finally after much trial and effort ended up using an angle grinder on the screw heads. It's fast and easy on the bad boards. Then just run the grinder down the joist tops to get the screws (not nails on my deck) flat to the surface. It works great. I'm doing a thousand sq foot deck (last worked on in 2000 according to the expiration dates on the beer cans underneath) with three levels of structure with the bottom level six by sixes on concrete piers with rebar sticking out with rotten soft joist tops under the deck boards that I am sistering in (with bolts) ground contact two by sixes to the old redwood six by sixes as all but about the top half inch are good.


I had one area out the back door where the rot went down to the foundational six by sixes close to a rock wall. The rest has all been good, so far. They had let the bottom one have ground contact and it turned to powder in places. I managed with bottle jacks to cut out the bad six by six and put in a high quality spruce replacement on the piers ensuring no ground contact this time. It's actually kind of fun and much cheaper than the 20K plus estimates I was getting on replacing the deck. Oh and I was just introduced to a wrecking bar called the Deck Demon. I will be investing in one of those.

[brianjonker]

great video and very timely considering the time of the year. This is well done for those with zero skill & experience.

[shennymendez]

Thank you for make it easy and to understand the importance of the safety👍

[notfound]

Really impressed with the organic walk through. Happy to subscribe.

[JeffNaranjo]

great video and very timely considering the time of year. Appreciate your presentation was very to the point and hope you keep posting!